http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0600-9343
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Background: A Core Outcome Set (COS) is a minimum set of outcomes that should be measured and reported in research trials of a specific health condition or population. The use of a COS does not preclude the measurement of study-specific outcomes, but rather represents the minimum outcomes that should be collected and reported. Benefits of COSs include: (1) increased transparency and reliability of research findings through the recommended reporting of a minimum set of outcomes; (2) production of compatible research data which can be efficiently synthesised in subsequent meta-analyses; and (3) reduced research wastage through the measurement of relevant outcomes which are more likely to inform treatment decision-making.
This presentation provides an update on ongoing works to develop a COS for aphasia treatment research (Wallace, Worrall, Rose, & Le Dorze, Citation2016, Citation2017a, Citation2017b; Wallace, Worrall, Rose, Le Dorze, et al., Citation2017). Research to date has identified essential outcome constructs as: language, communication, patient-reported satisfaction with treatment and impact of treatment, emotional wellbeing, and quality of life (Wallace, Worrall, Rose, & Le Dorze, Citation2017a). During the first ROMA consensus meeting, consensus was reached for measures of language (The Western Aphasia Battery-Revised (WAB-R); 74%), emotional wellbeing (General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)-12 (83% consensus); and quality of life (Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale (SAQOL-39); 96%).
Aims: To provide an update on the ROMA (Improving Research Outcome Measurement in Aphasia) project to develop a COS for aphasia treatment research.
Methods & Procedures: This presentation will provide an update on the ROMA consensus statement and current research exploring measures of communication for inclusion in the COS. Outcomes from the 2nd ROMA international consensus meeting will be discussed.
Outcomes & Results: ROMA COS consensus statement. The ROMA consensus statement provides recommendations for a COS for aphasia treatment research. The consensus statement has been endorsed by the Collaboration of Aphasia Trialists, the British Aphasiology Society, The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, and the German Society for Aphasia Research and Therapy.
Measuring communication as a core outcome in aphasia trials: Updates will be provided on current research examining the measurement of communication in aphasia trials. The outcomes from the 2nd ROMA international consensus meeting, which aims to develop a research agenda for the identification of a core measure of communication, will be discussed.
Conclusions: How an outcome is defined and measured is critical in research design. Well-chosen outcome measures not only allow the detection of meaningful change within individual studies, but also facilitate synthesis across trials (Brady et al., Citation2014). The development and implementation of a COS has the potential to improve the quality of aphasia treatment studies.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
