Personalized virtual speech therapy to improve communication in primary progressive aphasia
Official title: Intervention to Promote Communication Quality of Life for Persons With Language-Led Dementia and Their Partners: A Randomized Pilot Trial
Run by University of Texas at Austin · NCT07219680 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether a tailored, multi-part virtual speech-language program can help adults with primary progressive aphasia and their communication partners communicate better and improve quality of life.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 40 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Texas at Austin Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Austin, Texas) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 1, 2026 |
| Main results expected | August 2027 |
| Study ends | August 2027 |
| Registry record updated | April 21, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07219680 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults diagnosed with PPA (including semantic, logopenic, or nonfluent variants or PPA-plus), with MMSE ≥15, able to produce single monosyllabic words intelligibly, fluent in English and/or Spanish, able to use teleconference technology, with adequate hearing/vision and an available study partner.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with very advanced PPA or severe cognitive/language impairment who cannot produce single words intelligibly, those without an available study partner, with insufficient hearing/vision, or who cannot participate in telehealth are unlikely to benefit from this program.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This interventional telerehabilitation program delivers two targeted speech-language approaches (lexical retrieval cascade training and video-implemented script training) via virtual sessions to adults with PPA and their primary communication partners. Participants who receive immediate treatment are compared with a waitlist control group who receive the same program after a delay. The study enrolls English- and/or Spanish-speaking participants with milder-to-moderate PPA who have a study partner and adequate hearing/vision for teleconferencing. Outcomes include measures of feasibility and acceptability, communication performance, partner-reported benefit, and patterns of treatment response to determine which measures best capture change.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could improve everyday communication, make partner-supported conversations more effective, and enhance quality of life for people with PPA and their partners.
How similar studies have gone: Previous small studies of telerehabilitation and of script- and lexical-based therapies in aphasia have shown promise, but fully personalized multi-component virtual programs for PPA remain relatively novel and need more evidence.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria for Persons with PPA: * A PPA (Gorno-Tempini et al., 2011) or "PPA-plus" (Mesulam et al., 2001) diagnosis * MMSE score of 15 or higher and must be able to produce single monosyllabic words intelligibly * Must speak English, Spanish or both languages (i.e., bilingual speakers of English or Spanish) * Hearing and vision adequate for participation in teleconference meetings * Must have a study partner available (someone who will commit to attending teleconference sessions, as needed, during assessment and treatment phases) Inclusion criteria for Care Partners: * Partners must express willingness to attend and participate in assessment and treatment sessions, including those targeting dyadic communication goals * Partners must speak English, Spanish or both languages (i.e., bilingual speakers of English or Spanish) * Partner's hearing and vision should be adequate for participation in teleconference meetings The participant and/or study partner must have basic experience using a computer. Exclusion criteria for persons with PPA: * Other central nervous system or medical diagnosis that can account for symptoms * Psychiatric diagnosis that can account for symptoms
Where it's running
-
University of Texas
Austin, Texas, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Maya L Henry, PhD — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Henry Lab Research Coordinator
- Email: aphasialab@austin.utexas.edu
- Phone: 512-471-3420
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Home-based brain stimulation with virtual speech therapy for logopenic PPA
This project will test whether home-based transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with virtual speech-language therapy helps people with the logopenic variant of primary progressive aphasia communicate better.
-
Longitudinal study of frontotemporal lobar degeneration
This study is trying to learn more about frontotemporal lobar degeneration by following both affected individuals and their family members over time to see how the condition develops.
-
Long-term brain stimulation for primary progressive aphasia
This trial will test whether two non-invasive brain stimulation methods (TMS and tDCS), alone or combined and paired with language therapy, can slow or improve language decline over six months in people with primary progressive aphasia.
-
Speech and language therapy for Italian patients with primary progressive aphasia
This study is testing whether speech and language therapy can help Italian patients with primary progressive aphasia improve their communication skills and feel more satisfied with their progress.
-
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Alzheimer's Disease
This study is testing if a new brain stimulation treatment can help improve memory and brain function in older adults and those with mild cognitive impairment.
-
Educational support program for bilingual individuals with progressive aphasia and their caregivers
This study is testing a support program for bilingual people with progressive aphasia and their caregivers to see if it helps them communicate better and cope with the challenges of the condition.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.