Telerehabilitation Delivery of Multi-Modality Aphasia Therapy (M-MAT Tele): A Pilot Feasibility Trial

Authors

  • Vicky Aston Speech Pathology. Peninsula Health, Frankston, Australia https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6023-5713
  • Emily Eley School of Allied Health Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia; Centre for Research Excellence in Aphasia Recovery and Rehabilitation, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7297-785X
  • Dana Wong School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia; Centre for Research Excellence in Aphasia Recovery and Rehabilitation, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9619-1929
  • Annie J. Hill School of Allied Health Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia; Centre for Research Excellence in Aphasia Recovery and Rehabilitation, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3907-8369
  • Marcella Carragher School of Allied Health Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia; Centre for Research Excellence in Aphasia Recovery and Rehabilitation, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7200-6968
  • Miranda L. Rose School of Allied Health Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia; Centre for Research Excellence in Aphasia Recovery and Rehabilitation, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8892-0965
  • Rachelle Pitt Queensland Health, Queensland, Australia.
  • John E. Pierce School of Allied Health Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia; Centre for Research Excellence in Aphasia Recovery and Rehabilitation, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5164-5106

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63144/ijt.2025.6727

Keywords:

Aphasia, Aphasia Therapy, Group Therapy, Multi-Modality, Telerehabilitation

Abstract

Multi-Modality Aphasia Therapy (M-MAT) is a cost-effective group intervention for post stroke aphasia. M-MAT was recently adapted for telerehabilitation but has not yet been tested. This pilot study aimed to investigate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary signs of efficacy, providing 30 hours of M-MAT Tele to three groups of three people with chronic aphasia. Participants were grouped according to aphasia severity. Clinical outcomes were assessed at three timepoints. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed through a range of trial measures including recruitment, adherence, treatment fidelity and overall participant ratings. Recruitment targets were achieved, with nine participants receiving a median 24.4h of the prescribed dose. Therapy integrity and adherence were high (94%), effect sizes favoured positive clinical change, and acceptability was strong based on participant and therapist feedback. Minor protocol/software changes were recommended. This pilot study showed that M-MAT Tele was acceptable and feasible to participants and therapists, with positive preliminary outcomes.

  

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Published

2025-12-13

How to Cite

Aston, V., Eley, E., Wong, D., Hill, A. J., Carragher, M., Rose, M. L., … Pierce, J. E. (2025). Telerehabilitation Delivery of Multi-Modality Aphasia Therapy (M-MAT Tele): A Pilot Feasibility Trial. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 17(2), 1–29. https://doi.org/10.63144/ijt.2025.6727

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 2 (2025)

Section

Game Based Rehabilitation

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Copyright (c) 2025 Vicky Aston, Emily Eley, Dana Wong, Annie J. Hill, Marcella L. Carragher, Miranda Rose, Rachelle Pitt, John E. Pierce

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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