Cognitive Communication Health and Rehabilitation

Researchers in the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences (SHS) Accelerating Research in Cognitive Communication Health (ARCCH) Lab aim to translate neurorehabilitation research into practice to improve the lives of people at risk for or living with acquired brain injuries.

The researchers are developing novel interventions for assessing and treating cognitive-communication deficits from brain injuries, leveraging implementation science methods and community partnerships to support the adoption of new technologies and best practices in clinical practice. The lab has a particular focus on supporting the delivery of innovative cognitive-communication rehabilitation in rural and underserved communities. 

Acquired Brain Injury

Acquired brain injuries include traumatic brain injury, such as from falls or motor vehicle accidents, and non-traumatic brain injury, such as a stroke or a neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. Brain injuries can cause cognitive-communication deficits by disrupting processes necessary for communication, such as attention and memory. These deficits can negatively impact individuals’ ability to return to work or school and engage meaningfully with their community.

Cognitive-communication rehabilitation focuses on supporting cognitive-communication abilities by retraining skills or developing compensatory strategies. SHS researchers investigate which functional rehabilitation assessments and treatments are most effective through clinical trials, employing insights from interdisciplinary fields to create and evaluate innovative neurorehabilitation technology and interventions.

Translating Research into Practice

Only a fraction of research findings is adopted in clinical practice, and often after lengthy delays. SHS researchers are changing this using methods from implementation science, the study of how to increase the uptake of new research findings and evidence-based best practices. They study how to facilitate efficient adoption of best practices and technology to improve access to quality neurorehabilitation services in rural and underserved communities and enhance patient outcomes. 

Community partnerships play an essential role in implementing cognitive-communication health interventions and technology. ARCCH Lab researchers foster relationships with community organizations and practitioners to support evidence-based practice and clinician-driven research. The researchers work closely with Hinds’ Feet Farm, pioneers of the Unmasking Brain Injury public health advocacy project, to design and implement more effective tools to support people with cognitive-communication deficits.