Author: Jon Caswell

Not that long ago, the six-month window of recovery was gospel in stroke rehab, so rehab after that wasn’t needed. Now researchers know that recovery can continue for much longer, and prolonged therapy can bring more benefits. Unfortunately, the third-party payor system, including Medicare and Medicaid, relies on the six-month-window theory. That makes it hard for stroke survivors to get the extended therapy they need at a price they can afford.

One way to get some therapy after insurance has run out is to participate in research studies. Chuck Hofvander has participated in numerous studies at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. Scientists are continually evaluating drugs, medical devices and therapeutic methods. Such research takes a place at university medical centers and rehabilitation institutes across the country where survivors may get access to a limited amount of extra therapy.

Lynne Brady Wagner, MA, CCC-SLP, director of stroke rehabilitation of Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, explained the difference between “research” therapy and the “real” therapy patients get in rehab: “There are a wide range of different ‘therapeutic’ activities that are being ‘tested’ in a research study. This is different from therapy during which specific goals are being set for improvement in a person’s functional abilities.”

Not all research studies involve additional therapy. “Survivors must remember that not all research is treatment focused; sometimes it is more theoretical, to understand something better,” said Dr. Leora Cherney, director of the Center for Aphasia Research at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. She is currently doing research in the delivery of speech therapy over the Internet.

Every person who participates in a research trial goes through a process of being informed about expected risks and potential benefits. Then the person mush consent to participating in the research trial. During this process, participants can ask questions of the principal investigator.

Many clinical trials are listed at clinicaltrials.gov , click “Patient Trial” click “neurology,” click “strokes.” Clinical trials are listed by state and survivors can also sign up to be notified by email when a new stroke trial is listed. There is also a listing of research centers by state and city with a “Currently enrolling Trials” button that helps survivors find out what’s going on in their area. The National Aphasia Association lists speech therapy studies on their Web site, www.aphasia.org , enter “clinical trials” in the search window.

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