Improving speech abilities for people with aphasia through practice techniques
Official title: Efficacy and Optimization of Speech Entrainment Practice for People with Aphasia
Funded at Albert Einstein Healthcare Network · NIH-10666552 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help people with aphasia, which is a language problem that can happen after a stroke, by having them practice speaking along with a model speaker to see if it can improve their speech even after the practice ends.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albert Einstein Healthcare Network NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $163,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DC018893-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10666552 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have been diagnosed with chronic aphasia following a stroke.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have aphasia or those with severe cognitive impairments that prevent participation in speech practice may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on helping individuals with aphasia, a language impairment often resulting from stroke, by using a technique called speech entrainment. Participants will practice speaking in unison with a model speaker, which may help them produce more connected speech. The study aims to determine if this practice can lead to lasting improvements in independent speech after the support is removed. By exploring the optimal conditions for this technique, the research seeks to enhance communication abilities and overall quality of life for those affected by aphasia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the speech and communication abilities of individuals with aphasia, enhancing their daily interactions and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with speech entrainment techniques, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mailend, Marja-Liisa — Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
- Study coordinator: Mailend, Marja-Liisa
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Restoring speech with a brain implant for stroke-related aphasia
A study at UC Davis aims to help people who have language trouble after a stroke by using a tiny brain implant to turn brain signals into spoken words.
-
Dynamic brain imaging of speech in progressive aphasia
A study test uses advanced brain imaging to understand how speech changes in people with primary progressive aphasia.
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Improving speech recovery for people with aphasia after stroke
This study is testing a new therapy called speech entrainment therapy (SET) to help people with non-fluent aphasia, which can happen after a stroke, by using a fun audio-visual tool on a laptop to improve their speaking and communication skills.
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Silent speech interface using a wearable tongue tracker to help people after laryngectomy communicate
A wearable system with tongue sensors and intraoral components aims to let people without a vocal cord use natural-sounding speech in daily life.
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Communication Bridge: Improving language therapy for people with primary progressive aphasia
A proven language-therapy program called Communication Bridge helps people with primary progressive aphasia improve and maintain how they communicate with others.
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Overlap between how we speak and how we hold words in memory
A Duke-led project studies how the brain that talks relates to keeping verbal information in working memory, using advanced brain recordings from patients already undergoing medical care.
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.