Improving communication for people with aphasia using identification cards.
Official title: Effects of Aphasia Identification Cards on Comprehension of Aphasic Language by Unfamiliar Communication Partners.
Funded at University of Massachusetts Amherst · NIH-11055738 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether using special identification cards can help service workers better understand and communicate with people who have aphasia, making their interactions smoother and more positive.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Amherst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hadley, United States) |
| Project start | September 24, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $404,212 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DC021233-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11055738 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who have been diagnosed with aphasia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have aphasia or those who are unable to communicate verbally may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how aphasia identification cards can enhance the understanding of individuals with aphasia by unfamiliar communication partners, particularly service workers. The study aims to improve comprehension and communication experiences for people with aphasia by providing these partners with written self-advocacy statements that explain aphasia and offer guidance on effective communication strategies. By conducting a randomized controlled trial, the research will assess whether these ID cards positively influence the attitudes and comprehension abilities of service workers when interacting with individuals who have aphasia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve communication experiences for people with aphasia, enabling them to advocate for their needs more effectively.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that communication aids can improve interactions for individuals with language disorders, suggesting a promising avenue for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Hadley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mack, Jennifer Elaine — University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Study coordinator: Mack, Jennifer Elaine
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Communication Bridge: Improving language therapy for people with primary progressive aphasia
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eSANA: revealing and improving AAC use after stroke for aphasia
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Cortical Organization of Syntax in Aphasia
A patient-facing study to understand how brain injury affects sentence structure and help people with aphasia communicate more clearly.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.