VR and Scrip Training of PWA, Randomized Controlled Trial

Summary

The goal of this RCT is to investigate if computerized script training may promote functional communication and nonverbal cognitive functions of Cantonese-speaking PWA, and whether VR may further magnify the treatment outcomes.

The main research questions are:

1. Can script training promote verbal functional communication of Cantonese-speaking PWA?
2. Can script training enhance nonverbal cognitive functions of Cantonese-speaking PWA?
3. Can VR magnify verbal and nonverbal treatment outcomes of script training of PWA?

Conditions

• Aphasia, Acquired
• Chronic Stroke

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

VR-based script training

The PWA will wear a head-mounted VR device (e.g., Metaverse Oculus Quest 2 or other commercially available devices) for 30 minutes, which intends to create an immersive environment for training. Scripts trained in the computerized script training program in a particular session will be practiced. Cinematic 360˚ photo-real scenarios of daily contexts such as a restaurant or a grocery store will be displayed in the device while a communication partner, e.g., a waiter in the restaurant or a shopkeeper of a grocery store will initiate the conversation by producing the corresponding part of the script. The PWA will be given time to respond. Upon the completion of PWA's respond, the next conversational turn will be initiated. The clinical assistant, who accompanies the PWA in the entire training session, will control the flow of the 360 ˚ videos.

BEHAVIORAL

Conventional script training

The flow of training is identical to the VR condition, except that photos depicting the scenarios and prerecorded conversational turns will be presented to the PWA on a computer screen with the same procedures mentioned in the VR condition.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Prof FONG NAI KUEN KENNETH

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Dr LI SHI PUI

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Dr NG HIU FUNG PETER

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Johns Hopkins University

  collaborator OTHER

• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Winsy WS Wong, PhD · Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

30 Years

Max Age

80 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-06-30

Primary Completion

2027-12-31

Completion

2028-06-30