Modifying health outcome measures for people with aphasia

OBJECTIVE: The goal for this study was to determine methods to modify outcome measures for people with aphasia and to provide beginning support for the efficacy of these suggested modifications. METHOD: Twenty-nine community-dwelling people with aphasia participated. Modified outcome measures included the Stroke Impact Scale, the 36-item short form Medical Outcomes Study, Reintegration to Normal Living Scale, and Activity Card Sort. Participants were supported in their responses by systematically applying a hierarchy of support. An Independence Scale score was determined for each measure for each participant. RESULTS: Data from an examiner-rated Independence Scale, internal consistency of participants' responses, correlations among subscale scores across measures, and correlations between aphasia severity and reported outcome provide evidence that people with aphasia are able to understand and respond with these supports. CONCLUSION: We provide key recommendations for making self-report measures accessible for people with aphasia.