Intervention in Aphasia (NADIIA)
The evidence
NADIIA communication therapy has been used with promising results with people following post-stroke aphasia (Whitworth, 2010; Whitworth et al., 2015), primary progressive aphasia (PPA) (Whitworth et al., 2018), and those with cognitive-communication difficulties following traumatic brain injury (TBI) and vascular episodes (Whitworth et al., 2020).
Completed projects
1. A pilot case series
This paper sets out the pilot study for the (pre-named) NADIIA protocol, describing the early protocol and outcomes with two people with post-stroke aphasia. NHMRC Level IV evidence (case series). This study was funded through a Leadership in Research Fellowship by the Health Foundation, UK.
Read where to find this study here
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2. A pilot RCT
Following the outcomes of the pilot study, a RCT was funded with 14 people with post-stroke aphasia comparing two groups of people who received either the NADIIA intervention or usual care interventions. NHMRC Level II evidence. This study was funded by the Western Australian Institute of Medical Research (now Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research).
Two further case series studies have evaluated the effectiveness of NADIIA with other neurological populations.
3. A case series in primary progressive aphasia (PPA)
The first delivered NADIIA with two people with primary progressive aphasia (PPA), one person presenting with semantic variant PPA and the second person with logopenic variant PPA. NHMRC Level IV evidence (case series).
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4. A case series in cognitive-communication disorders (CCD)
A second study evaluated the effectiveness of NADIIA with four participants with mild to moderate cognitive-communication difficulties following both TBI and vascular episodes. Only one participant had a coexisting aphasia. NHMRC Level IV evidence (case series).
Read where to find this study here
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Projects on the go:
1. NADIIA in clinical settings: comparing individual vs group delivery
To ensure NADIIA therapy will be accessible to therapists and clients and be able to be incorporated into clinical practice, this research project is replicating usual clinical settings. Funded by the Department of Health, Western Australia, this project commenced as face to face sessions within the outpatient setting. With the implementation of COVID-19 infection control requirements, a subset of therapy sessions were conducted via telehealth video to clients in their own homes. The research includes individual and group therapy options. Data collection has completed and this data is currently being analysed.
2. The NADIIA-D Project
In 2019, our team, led by Jade Cartwright, received funding from the Dementia Australia Research Foundation to evaluate the effectiveness of NADIIA-D, a modified NADIIA protocol for use with people with PPA and other types of dementia. This project is addressing the critical need for evidence-based interventions that improve everyday communication and social connection in people with dementia. The NADIIA-D protocol introduces a new “Memory” genre to elicit and practice salient, nostalgic recounts that tap into preserved long-term memories. Recruitment to this trial has been completed and data analysis is underway.
3. The NADIIApp Project
This project is developing and evaluating the feasibility and effectiveness of a mobile Communication App to deliver NADIIA therapy - the NADIIApp - after stroke. Funded by MSWA (Multiple Sclerosis Western Australia), the NADIIApp aims to increase both access to therapy services, through remote delivery, and frequency of exposure (dose), thereby increasing potential for gains. This project builds on the early success of NADIIA that has only been delivered face to face in a clinical setting, to delivery via mobile technology. The trial is underway.
Progress updates about the NADIIA research projects will be added to this site as they become available.