Dubbing language-therapy CINEma-based in aphasia post-stroke (DULCINEA): A feasibility randomized crossover controlled trial

Background: Helping people recover from aphasia is among the top 10 research priorities relating to life after stroke.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of dubbing techniques (using newly developed software) for post-stroke aphasia therapy and explore its potential efficacy.

Methods: Randomised, crossover, interventional, feasibility trial that included patients with chronic post-stroke non-fluent aphasia. The intervention consisted of an individualised programme (16 sessions; 8 weeks) based on dubbing words and sentences progressively adapted to the severity of the aphasia. Patients were allocated to groups that underwent therapy within the first 3 months, or between 3 and 6 months from inclusion, each group serving as the control during the non-therapy periods. Outcomes were the pre-post differences in the Communicative Activity Log, the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination, the General Health Questionnaire-12, the Stroke Aphasia Quality of Life Scale, and the Western Aphasia Battery Revised, administered by psychologists blinded to the patients' allocation.

Results: Recruitment was limited due to COVID-19 and prematurely stopped because of funding coming to an end. A total of 23 patients were randomised, 20 of whom completed the study (1 withdrew consent, and 2 dropped out). The adherence rate to the allocated group was 95.3%. No statistically significant differences were found in any of the outcomes; however, 17 (85%) patients reported subjective improvements in communication skills.

Conclusions: This trial shows the feasibility of dubbing therapy (using dedicated software) for patients with post-stroke non-fluent aphasia. Although it lacks statistical power, certain effects on language and communication cannot be ignored.