This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery Research programme (project number 14/04/22) and the Tavistock Trust for Aphasia. The scientific content was reviewed and informed by discussion with the NIHR Complex Reviews Support Unit, also funded by NIHR (project number 14/178/29; project in progress). The study also received infrastructural support from its location in the NMAHP Research Unit, which is funded by the Chief Scientist Office, Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates.
Administrative support
We would like to thank Dr Avril Nicoll, NMHAP Research Unit, Glasgow Caledonian University, for her excellence in administrative support, co-ordinating the efforts of the collaboration, communications and in formatting the final report.
The RELEASE study database contributors
The IPD meta-analysis builds on the considerable efforts of the contributing primary researchers and their generosity and collaborative approach to data sharing for the benefit of people with aphasia, their families and health-care professionals.
People with aphasia
We acknowledge the time and effort of people with aphasia to inform the primary data set activities, and whose data have, in turn, informed this IPD meta-analysis.
University of East Anglia Aphasia Research Collaboration
We thank the members of the PPI group based in Norwich (and facilitated by Dr Simon Horton, University of East Anglia) for their review of the proposed project, database creation, data extraction and analysis plans, the study findings and dissemination plans.
Other acknowledgements
For their statistical input to the development of the RELEASE project:
- Mr Andy Elders, NMAHP Research Unit, Glasgow Caledonian University
- Professor Jon Godwin, Glasgow Caledonian University
- Dr Anastasia (Natalie) Karachalia Sandri, NMAHP Research Unit, Glasgow Caledonian University.
For IPD data extraction from the public domain:
- Mrs Brenda Bain, NMAHP Research Unit, Glasgow Caledonian University.
For statistical commentary:
- Dr Yiqiao Xin, NIHR Complex Review Support Unit, University of Glasgow.
For data synthesis methodological input:
- Dr Pauline Campbell, NMAHP Research Unit, Glasgow Caledonian University.
Contributions of authors
Marian C Brady (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4589-7021) conceived, designed and led the grant application and study; screened records, abstracts and full titles; extracted data; assessed the risk of bias; checked data extraction and risk of bias; and drafted and finalised the final report.
Myzoon Ali (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5899-2485) was a co-applicant and contributor to the grant application, contributed to the statistical analysis, drafted Chapter 4 and co-drafted Chapter 5.
Kathryn VandenBerg (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5035-9650) and Louise R Williams (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2430-1142) screened records, abstracts and full titles; retrieved papers; extracted data; and checked data extraction and risk of bias.
Linda J Williams (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6317-1718) led and conducted the statistical analysis.
Masahiro Abo (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6701-4974), Frank Becker (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0857-0628), Audrey Bowen (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4075-1215), Caitlin Brandenburg (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6992-7790), Caterina Breitenstein (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6408-873X), Stefanie Bruehl (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4826-1990), David A Copland (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2257-4270), Tamara B Cranfill (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7608-6443), Marie di Pietro-Bachmann (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8027-2337), Pamela Enderby (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4371-9053), Joanne Fillingham (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0363-8021), Federica Lucia Galli (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9244-9179), Marialuisa Gandolfi (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0877-4807), Bertrand Glize (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9618-2088), Erin Godecke (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7210-1295), Katerina Hilari (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2091-4849), Jacqueline Hinckley (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4052-1420), Simon Horton (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2133-1410), Petra Jaecks (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5878-1327), Elizabeth Jefferies (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3826-4330), Luis MT Jesus (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8534-3218), Maria Kambanaros (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5857-9460), Eun Kyoung Kang (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5315-1361), Eman M Khedr (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5679-9833), Anthony Pak-Hin Kong (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6211-0358), Tarja Kukkonen (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8189-0337), Marina Laganaro (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4054-0939), Matthew A Lambon Ralph (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5907-2488), Ann Charlotte Laska (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7330-940X), Béatrice Leemann (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2226-6777), Alexander P Leff (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0831-3541), Roxele R Lima (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9914-4789), Antje Lorenz (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0200-1977), Brian MacWhinney (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4988-1342), Rebecca Shisler Marshall (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9313-5454), Flavia Mattioli (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4912-5520), İlknur Maviş (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3924-1138), Marcus Meinzer (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1370-3947), Reza Nilipour (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4180-7989), Enrique Noé (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2547-8727), Nam-Jong Paik (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5193-8678), Rebecca Palmer (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2335-7104), Ilias Papathanasiou (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0999-696X), Brígida F Patrício (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2619-470X), Isabel Pavão Martins (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9611-7400), Cathy Price (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0111-9364), Tatjana Prizl Jakovac (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5018-9556), Elizabeth Rochon (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5521-0513), Miranda L Rose (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8892-0965), Charlotte Rosso (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7236-1508), Ilona Rubi-Fessen (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9775-3812), Marina B Ruiter (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6147-5235), Claerwen Snell (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8606-7801), Benjamin Stahl (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3957-1495), Jerzy P Szaflarski (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5936-6627), Shirley A Thomas (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0704-9387), Mieke van de Sandt-Koenderman (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8104-6937), Ineke van der Meulen (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6156-3873), Evy Visch-Brink (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7833-0112), Linda Worrall (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3283-7038) and Heather Harris Wright (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6922-6364) contributed IPD primary data.
Audrey Bowen, Erin Godecke, Katerina Hilari, Jacqueline Hinckley, Simon Horton, David Howard (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9141-5751), Tarja Kukkonen, Ann Charlotte Laska, Brian MacWhinney, Rebecca Palmer, Cathy Price, Shirley A Thomas, Evy Visch-Brink and Linda Worrall were co-applicants and contributors to the grant application.
Frank Becker, Marialuisa Gandolfi, Luis MT Jesus, Matthew A Lambon Ralph and Ineke van der Meulen were named collaborators on the grant application.
Simon Horton co-ordinated and facilitated PPI in the study.
Neil Hawkins (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3199-221X) advised on the statistical analyses.
All authors were involved in interpretation of the results and reviewing and approving the final report.
Publications
Brady MC, Ali M, VandenBerg K, Williams LJ, Williams LR, Abo M, et al. Communicating simply, but not too simply: reporting of participants and speech and language interventions for aphasia after stroke. Int J Speech Lang Pathol 2020;22:302–12.
Brady M, Ali M, VandenBerg K, Williams LJ, Williams LR, Abo M, et al. RELEASE: a protocol for a systematic review based, individual participant data, meta- and network meta-analysis, of complex speech-language therapy interventions for stroke-related aphasia. Aphasiology 2020;34:137–57.
Williams LR, Ali M, VandenBerg K, Williams LJ, Abo M, Becker F, et al. Utilising a systematic review-based approach to create a database of individual participant data for meta- and network meta-analyses: the RELEASE database of aphasia after stroke. Aphasiology 2022;36:513–33.
The REhabilitation and recovery of peopLE with Aphasia after StrokE (RELEASE) Collaborators, Ali M, VandenBerg K, Williams LJ, Williams LR, Abo M, et al. Predictors of poststroke aphasia recovery. Stroke 2021;52:1778–87.
The REhabilitation and recovery of peopLE with Aphasia after StrokE (RELEASE) Collaborators. Dosage, intensity, and frequency of language therapy for aphasia: a systematic review-based, individual participant data network meta-analysis. Stroke 2022;53:956–67.
Brady M, Ali M, VandenBerg K, Williams LJ, Williams LR, Abel S, et al. REhabilitation and recovery of peopLE with Aphasia after StrokE (RELEASE): a protocol for a systematic review-based Individual Participant Data (IPD) meta- and network meta-analysis. Aphasiology 2019;34:137–57.
The RELEASE Collaborators. Communicating things simply, but not too simply – TIDieR descriptions of speech and language therapy interventions and transparent reporting of participant descriptors in aphasia research. Int J Speech Lang Pathol 2020;22:302–12.
The RELEASE Collaborators. Predictors of post-stroke aphasia recovery: a systematic review-informed individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis. Stroke (in press).
The RELEASE Collaborators. Williams LR, Ali M, VandenBerg K, Williams LJ, Abo M, Becker F, et al. Utilising a systematic review-based approach to create a database of individual participant data for meta-and network meta-analysis: the RELEASE database of aphasia after stroke. Aphasiology (in press).
Data-sharing statement
We will work with all data contributors to facilitate access to a version of the RELEASE study database. Access to each data set in the database was subject to the data-sharing agreement between the primary research team and the RELEASE study. Ethical agreements which supported sharing of some primary data sets, restricted access to those datasets solely for the purpose of informing the RELEASE study and analysis. Some data sets are separate databases in their own right (e.g. AphasiaBank, Cantonese Aphasia Bank and PLORAS119). Interested parties should approach those databases directly. Further information can be obtained from the corresponding author.
Patient data
This work uses data provided by patients and collected by the NHS as part of their care and support. Using patient data is vital to improve health and care for everyone. There is huge potential to make better use of information from people’s patient records, to understand more about disease, develop new treatments, monitor safety, and plan NHS services. Patient data should be kept safe and secure, to protect everyone’s privacy, and it’s important that there are safeguards to make sure that it is stored and used responsibly. Everyone should be able to find out about how patient data are used. #datasaveslives You can find out more about the background to this citation here: https://understandingpatientdata.org.uk/data-citation.
Disclaimers
This report presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The views and opinions expressed by authors in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the NHS, the NIHR, the HSDR programme or the Department of Health and Social Care. If there are verbatim quotations included in this publication the views and opinions expressed by the interviewees are those of the interviewees and do not necessarily reflect those of the authors, those of the NHS, the NIHR, the HSDR programme or the Department of Health and Social Care.