"I'm going out more often, I'm speaking to people more often" : a qualitative exploration of participants’ experiences with a student-led online intensive comprehensive aphasia programme

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Molino, Monia and Kuschmann, Anja (2026) "I'm going out more often, I'm speaking to people more often" : a qualitative exploration of participants’ experiences with a student-led online intensive comprehensive aphasia programme. Aphasiology. ISSN 0268-7038 (https://doi.org/10.1080/02687038.2026.2650660)

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Abstract

Background: A growing body of evidence demonstrates that Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Programmes (ICAPs) are effective in supporting recovery for people with aphasia (PwA). Despite this expansion, limited research has explored PwA’s own perspectives on participation and the acceptability of the ICAP model. Aim: The aim of this study was to qualitatively explore the experiences of PwA who participated in a university-based, student-led, online ICAP. Method: Semi-structured, student-led interviews were conducted with 11 PwA following their participation in the programme. A qualitative descriptive design, incorporating elements of phenomenology, was used to capture participants’ lived experiences. Results: Participants reported changes across three overarching themes: personal outcomes, working relationships and partnerships, and aspects of programme structure. Within these, they described increased communication confidence, the achievement of meaningful functional goals, and the development of stronger social relationships, including renewed connections with peers and family, alongside emotional adjustment. A strong sense of community within the ICAP cohort was identified as a key contributor to these outcomes, while fatigue was recognised as a challenging but worthwhile aspect of participation. Conclusions: This study underscores the value of ICAP participation from the perspective of PwA, highlighting benefits that extend beyond language improvement. The findings also affirm the acceptability of the online, student-led service delivery model and offer insights to inform the design, implementation, and sustainability of future ICAPs.

ORCID iDs

Molino, Monia ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1980-5599 and Kuschmann, Anja ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5396-9008;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)