Leveraging Technology in the Rehabilitation of Communication – Insights from Dr. David Copland at ISPRM 2024

At the #ISPRM2024 congress in Sydney, Dr. David Copland, Director of the Queensland Aphasia Research Centre and Co-Director of the STARS Education and Research Alliance, delivered a keynote lecture on “Using Technology in the Rehabilitation of Communication.” In a subsequent interview with Dr. Muhammad Tawab Khalil, Dr. Copland discussed the profound impact of aphasia, the potential of technology in rehabilitation, and the success of innovative programs like the TeleCHAT program.

Aphasia: A Deeply Disabling Condition

Dr. Copland emphasized the significant impact of aphasia, describing it as one of the most disabling conditions due to its effect on communication. “How we communicate is who we are,” he noted, highlighting that aphasia disrupts not only daily interactions but also a person’s identity, relationships, and overall quality of life. This underscores the urgent need for effective rehabilitation strategies to help individuals with aphasia regain their ability to communicate.

The Role of Technology in Rehabilitation

Dr. Copland discussed the promising role of technology in improving the lives of people with aphasia. He mentioned the translation of traditional therapy into online formats, which allows patients to access therapy from home, making the process more integrated into their daily lives. “The involvement of the partner in the home environment makes it much more realistic and more likely to have generalization into everyday life,” he explained.

The TeleCHAT Program: A Comprehensive Approach

One of the key initiatives Dr. Copland highlighted was the TeleCHAT program, an intensive, comprehensive aphasia rehabilitation program that provides 50 hours of treatment over eight weeks. The program combines individual and group therapy, computer-based activities, and focuses on the specific communication goals of each patient. Preliminary results indicate that the TeleCHAT program is as effective as traditional face-to-face therapy, offering a valuable alternative for patients who may not have easy access to in-person services.

Challenges and Opportunities in Tech-Based Rehab

While technology offers significant opportunities in rehabilitation, Dr. Copland also cautioned about the challenges. He noted that everyday technologies like Siri and automatic speech recognition, while ubiquitous, are not always well-suited for individuals with aphasia. “Recognition of aphasia speech is difficult for some of it, and it requires training and additional work,” he explained, emphasizing the need for ongoing development and customization of these tools to better serve this population.

Dr. Copland’s insights at #ISPRM2024 highlight the transformative potential of technology in the rehabilitation of communication. As advancements continue, programs like TeleCHAT represent a significant step forward in providing accessible, effective rehabilitation for individuals with aphasia.