Journal article
Type 3 hybrid effectiveness-implementation study implementing and evaluating the Comprehensive High-dose Aphasia Treatment (CHAT) programme in Australian rehabilitation services: a protocol
BMJ Open, Vol.16(5), pp.1-10
18/05/2026
PMID: 42150834
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
Introduction The Comprehensive High-dose Aphasia Treatment (CHAT) programme is an intensive comprehensive aphasia programme, which aims to address evidence-practice gaps in aphasia rehabilitation where there are known barriers to service delivery requiring implementation strategies. The aims of this study are to (1) evaluate the clinical implementation of the CHAT programme, (2) assess the clinical effectiveness of CHAT compared with usual care in rehabilitation services and (3) determine whether the real-world implementation of CHAT compared with usual care is cost-effective.
Methods and analysis Four participant groups will be recruited across six hospital and health services Australia-wide to participate in a type 3 hybrid effectiveness-implementation study: (1) people with aphasia, (2) support persons, (3) treating clinicians and students and (4) clinical stakeholders (eg, managers). This before-and-after study will include three time periods: (1) ‘usual care’ where people with aphasia will receive their usual care aphasia therapy, (2) ‘implementation transition’ where clinicians will be trained to deliver CHAT and (3) ‘intervention implementation’ where people with aphasia will receive the CHAT programme (ie, 50 hours of evidence-based aphasia therapy over 8 weeks). Evidence-based implementation strategies will be used to facilitate implementation within participating rehabilitation services. The primary outcome is delivery of evidence-based aphasia treatment (ie, CHAT) as measured by a composite score of quality indicators. Clinical effectiveness outcomes, measuring change in language impairment, communication effectiveness, confidence and quality of life, and implementation outcomes will also be examined. We will also conduct an embedded mixed-methods process evaluation and economic evaluation.
Ethics and dissemination This study has been approved by the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC/2021/QRBW/72154). Outputs will include conference presentations, publications and a training package to optimise implementation of aphasia treatment in rehabilitation service contexts.
Registration details Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) prospective registration ACTRN12621001765819. Trial registered 23 December 2021. https://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=381365&isReview=true.
Details
- Title
- Type 3 hybrid effectiveness-implementation study implementing and evaluating the Comprehensive High-dose Aphasia Treatment (CHAT) programme in Australian rehabilitation services: a protocol
- Creators
- Marie-Pier McSween - The University of QueenslandJade K Dignam - The University of QueenslandKirstine Shrubsole - The University of QueenslandRachel Levine - The University of QueenslandEmma Power - University of Technology SydneyNatasha A Lannin - Monash UniversitySarah J Wallace - The University of QueenslandDominique A Cadilhac - Monash UniversityMonique F Kilkenny - Monash UniversityAnnie J Hill - The University of QueenslandBrooke J Ryan - Curtin UniversityDavid A Copland - The University of Queensland
- Publication Details
- BMJ Open, Vol.16(5), pp.1-10
- Publisher
- BMJ Group; LONDON
- Grant note
- This study is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia (Partnership Project #1191820). The following authors are funded by fellowships from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC): KS (2026816), SJW (#2032983), DACad (#1154273); and the Heart Foundation of Australia: NAL (#106762), MFK (#105737). The study is sponsored by The University of Queensland.
- Identifiers
- 991013376467002368
- Copyright
- © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2026.
- Academic Unit
- Allied Health and Midwifery; Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article