Effect of Participation in Virtual Exercise Sessions on Physical Activity, Language and Cognitive Functioning, and Quality of Life in Persons With Aphasia

Approximately one-third of stroke survivors have aphasia, acquired language difficulty that affects the ability speak and understand others. However, despite documented benefits of interventions to promote physical activity (PA) after stroke, including improved health-related quality of life (QoL), social and emotional benefits, and improved cognition, individuals with aphasia are often excluded from this research due to their communication difficulties. This is particularly concerning, given that individuals with aphasia are at greater risk of social isolation and depression compared to stroke survivors without aphasia. Presently, limited research has been conducted that examines the effect of PA interventions in individuals with aphasia although preliminary findings suggest that benefits may exist across domains (health and disability).

This study aims to better understand how PA affects the lives of individuals with aphasia. Given weekly tele-instruction in PA over 10 weeks, participants' levels of PA will be monitored for the duration of the study. Pre- and post-treatment measures of cognitive ability, QoL, and aphasia severity will be collected and analyzed to characterize intervention effects. The results of this study will provide insight into whether PA may be an important component of future aphasia treatment.