Priorities for Closing the Evidence-Practice Gaps in Poststroke Aphasia Rehabilitation: A Scoping Review

Objective

To identify implementation priorities for poststroke aphasia management relevant to the Australian health care context.

Data Sources

Using systematized searches of databases (CINAHL and MEDLINE), guideline and stroke websites, and other sources, evidence was identified and extracted for 7 implementation criteria for 13 topic areas relevant to aphasia management. These 7 priority-setting criteria were identified in the implementation literature: strength of the evidence, current evidence-practice gap, clinician preference, patient preference, modifiability, measurability, and health effect.

Study Selection

Articles were included if they were in English, related to a specific recommendation requiring implementation, and contained information pertaining to any of the 7 prioritization criteria.

Data Extraction

The scoping review methodology was chosen to address the broad nature of the topic. Evidence was extracted and placed in an evidence matrix. After this, evidence was summarized and then aphasia rehabilitation topics were prioritized using an approach developed by the research team.

Data Synthesis

Evidence from 100 documents was extracted and summarized. Four topic areas were identified as implementation priorities for aphasia: timing, amount, and intensity of therapy; goal setting; information, education, and aphasia-friendly information; and constraint-induced language therapy.

Conclusions

Closing the evidence-practice gaps in the 4 priority areas identified may deliver the greatest gains in outcomes for Australian stroke survivors with aphasia. Our approach to developing implementation priorities may be useful for identifying priorities for implementation in other health care areas.