Operationalising treatment success in aphasia rehabilitation

Background Treatment success is the desired outcome in aphasia rehabilitation. However, to date, there a lack of consensus on what defines 'successful' result given measurement instrument (OMI).Aim In this methodological paper, we present strategies for how define and measure treatment OMI at group-level, as well an individual person with aphasia. The latter particularly important when research findings from group studies are clinically implemented individuals rehabilitation.Scope We start by presenting methods calculate average statistically significant change across several (group) (e.g., standardised mean difference, raw unstandardised difference) OMI. Such metrics useful summarise overall effect intervention interest, meta-analyses. benchmarks based effects not feasible assessing participant’s thus determining proportion patients who had beneficial response therapy (overall rate intervention). therefore recommend distribution-based approach determine level, i.e., 'smallest detectable change' OMI, which refers smallest that can be detected beyond error. statistical significance does necessarily correspond its clinical impact. This requires additional indicator. benchmark relevant improvement 'minimal change'. minimally defined score perceived stakeholder (i.e., people aphasia, their relatives/caregivers, clinicians). It relating scores 'anchors', meaningful external criteria, preferably patient-perceived success. Currently, no regarding optimal 'anchors' respective definition research.Conclusions/Recommendations Operationalising both (patient-reported) key priority Availability such measures will (a) facilitate estimates optimise therapeutic decisions (b) provide groups society, stroke team, family, clinicians, healthcare professionals) objective, reliable feedback setting.