Professor Rebecca Palmer
BA, PhD, MRCSLT
Population Health, School of Medicine and Population Health
Professor of Communication and Stroke Rehabilitation
+44 114 222 0863
Full contact details
Population Health, School of Medicine and Population Health
Room 107
The Innovation Centre
217 Portobello
Sheffield
S1 4DP
- Profile
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I am a speech and language therapist (SLT) specialising in stroke. I have more than 20 years of experience working in the field of stroke rehabilitation, both in research and clinically in stroke care. I gained a PhD in the treatment of dysarthria using speech recognition technology from the University of Sheffield in 2005. From 2005 to 2010 I worked as a specialist SLT in the stroke unit at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. I coordinated the rehabilitation and community trials for the Trent NIHR Stroke Research Network from 2007 to 2013, gaining experience in clinical trial delivery.
As part of my HEFCE-NIHR Senior Academic Clinical Lectureship, my focus was on applied clinical research. I was the chief investigator of the Big CACTUS trial investigating the clinical and cost-effectiveness of aphasia computer treatment versus usual stimulation or attention control long-term post-stroke. This study was a multicentre randomised controlled trial taking place in 21 NHS trusts across the UK. I also piloted the implementation of computerised speech and language therapy in clinical practice, 2013-2015 for which I was awarded the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists Stenberg award for clinical innovation in 2014. I currently lead the APT aphasia partnership training project, an NIHR Programme Development Grant focused on communication partner training intervention development for people with aphasia and their family members.
- Research interests
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My research interests include dysarthria and aphasia assessment and treatment, the use of technology for self-managed rehabilitation in the long-term post-stroke, and communication partner training for multidisciplinary teams and for family dyads. I am also committed to the inclusion of people with language disorders in health care and research.
I first authored the ‘Consent Support Tool: including people with communication disorders in research’ to enable people with communication difficulties to be involved in research. The inclusion of people with communication difficulties in an advisory capacity and in co-produced research is also of particular interest. I have explored different ways of including people with aphasia in PPIE winning a prize for this at the UK Stroke Forum in 2016.
- Publications
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Show: Featured publications All publications
Featured publications
Journal articles
- Identifying the active ingredients of a computerized speech and language therapy intervention for poststroke aphasia: multiple methods investigation alongside a randomized controlled trial. JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies, 10. View this article in WRRO
- The impact of participation in research for speech and language therapy departments and their patients: a case example of the Big CACTUS multicentre trial of self‐managed computerized aphasia therapy. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders.
- An aphasia research agenda – a consensus statement from the collaboration of aphasia trialists. Aphasiology. View this article in WRRO
- Predictors of poststroke aphasia recovery: a systematic review-informed individual participant data meta-analysis. Stroke. View this article in WRRO
- What are the factors that may influence the implementation of self-managed computer therapy for people with long term aphasia following stroke? A qualitative study of speech and language therapists’ experiences in the Big CACTUS trial. Disability and Rehabilitation. View this article in WRRO
- Giving voice to people with communication disabilities during mental capacity assessments. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders. View this article in WRRO
- Computerised speech and language therapy or attention control added to usual care for people with long-term post-stroke aphasia : the Big CACTUS three-arm RCT. Health Technology Assessment, 24(19), 1-176. View this article in WRRO
- Self-managed, computerised speech and language therapy for patients with chronic aphasia post-stroke compared with usual care or attention control (Big CACTUS) : a multicentre, single-blinded, randomised controlled trial. The Lancet Neurology, 18(9), 821-833. View this article in WRRO
- Behavioural activation therapy for post-stroke depression : the BEADS feasibility RCT. Health Technology Assessment, 23(47), 1-176. View this article in WRRO
- How do health and social care professionals in England and Wales assess mental capacity? A literature review. Disability and Rehabilitation. View this article in WRRO
- Why do stroke survivors not receive recommended amounts of active therapy? Findings from the ReAcT study, a mixed-methods case-study evaluation in eight stroke units. Clinical Rehabilitation, 32(8), 1119-1132. View this article in WRRO
- Negotiating excess treatment costs in a clinical research trial: the good, the bad and the innovative. Trials, 17(1). View this article in WRRO
- Clinical and cost effectiveness of computer treatment for aphasia post stroke (Big CACTUS): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials, 16(1). View this article in WRRO
- Preference-based health-related quality of life in the context of aphasia: a research synthesis. Aphasiology, 29(7), 763-780.
- Stroke Research Staff’s Experiences of Seeking Consent from People with Communication Difficulties: Results of a National Online Survey. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 21(5), 443-451.
- Initial evaluation of the Consent Support Tool: a structured procedure to facilitate the inclusion and engagement of people with aphasia in the informed consent process.. Int J Speech Lang Pathol, 16(2), 159-168.
- Using computers to enable self-management of aphasia therapy exercises for word finding: The patient and carer perspective. International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders.
- Computer therapy compared with usual care for people with long-standing aphasia poststroke: a pilot randomized controlled trial.. Stroke, 43(7), 1904-1911.
- What speech and language therapy do community dwelling stroke survivors with aphasia receive in the UK?. PLOS ONE, 13(7), e0200096-e0200096. View this article in WRRO
All publications
Books
Journal articles
- Identifying the active ingredients of a computerized speech and language therapy intervention for poststroke aphasia: multiple methods investigation alongside a randomized controlled trial. JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies, 10. View this article in WRRO
- Speech and language therapists' management practices, perceived effectiveness of current treatments and interest in neuromuscular electrical stimulation for acquired dysarthria rehabilitation: an international perspective. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders. View this article in WRRO
- The impact of participation in research for speech and language therapy departments and their patients: a case example of the Big CACTUS multicentre trial of self‐managed computerized aphasia therapy. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders.
- Non-invasive brain stimulation for treating neurogenic dysarthria: a systematic review. Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 65(5).
- Research priorities relating to communication and swallowing for people with learning disabilities across the lifespan. Tizard Learning Disability Review.
- Precision rehabilitation for aphasia by patient age, sex, aphasia severity, and time since stroke? A prespecified, systematic review-based, individual participant data, network, subgroup meta-analysis.. Int J Stroke, 17474930221097477.
- Research priorities to improve the health of children and adults with dysphagia: a National Institute of Health Research and Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists research priority setting partnership. BMJ Open, 12(1).
- 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.
- An aphasia research agenda – a consensus statement from the collaboration of aphasia trialists. Aphasiology. View this article in WRRO
- Predictors of poststroke aphasia recovery: a systematic review-informed individual participant data meta-analysis. Stroke. View this article in WRRO
- What are the factors that may influence the implementation of self-managed computer therapy for people with long term aphasia following stroke? A qualitative study of speech and language therapists’ experiences in the Big CACTUS trial. Disability and Rehabilitation. View this article in WRRO
- Giving voice to people with communication disabilities during mental capacity assessments. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders. View this article in WRRO
- Factors associated with adherence to self-managed aphasia therapy practice on a computer—a mixed methods study alongside a randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Neurology, 11. View this article in WRRO
- Design considerations for clinical trials in aphasia. Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology, 23(8), S52-S56.
- Evaluation of the MCAST, a multidisciplinary toolkit to improve mental capacity assessment. Disability and Rehabilitation. View this article in WRRO
- Communicating simply, but not too simply: reporting of participants and speech and language interventions for aphasia after stroke. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 22(3), 302-312.
- Computerised speech and language therapy or attention control added to usual care for people with long-term post-stroke aphasia : the Big CACTUS three-arm RCT. Health Technology Assessment, 24(19), 1-176. View this article in WRRO
- Self-managed, computerised speech and language therapy for patients with chronic aphasia post-stroke compared with usual care or attention control (Big CACTUS) : a multicentre, single-blinded, randomised controlled trial. The Lancet Neurology, 18(9), 821-833. View this article in WRRO
- Behavioural activation therapy for post-stroke depression : the BEADS feasibility RCT. Health Technology Assessment, 23(47), 1-176. View this article in WRRO
- How do health and social care professionals in England and Wales assess mental capacity? A literature review. Disability and Rehabilitation. View this article in WRRO
- Why do stroke survivors not receive recommended amounts of active therapy? Findings from the ReAcT study, a mixed-methods case-study evaluation in eight stroke units. Clinical Rehabilitation, 32(8), 1119-1132. View this article in WRRO
- Developing accessible, pictorial versions of health-related quality of life instruments suitable for economic evaluation: a report of preliminary studies conducted in Canada and the United Kingdom. PharmacoEconomics. View this article in WRRO
- Tidier descriptions of speech and language therapy interventions for people with aphasia; consensus from the release collaboration. Aphasiology, 32, 183-186.
- An exploration of mental capacity assessment within acute hospital and intermediate care settings in England: a focus group study. Disability and Rehabilitation. View this article in WRRO
- Volunteer involvement in the support of self-managed computerised aphasia treatment: The volunteer perspective. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 18(5), 411-419. View this article in WRRO
- Behavioural Activation Therapy for Depression after Stroke (BEADS): a study protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled pilot trial of a psychological intervention for post-stroke depression. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 2(1). View this article in WRRO
- Negotiating excess treatment costs in a clinical research trial: the good, the bad and the innovative. Trials, 17(1). View this article in WRRO
- Clinical and cost effectiveness of computer treatment for aphasia post stroke (Big CACTUS): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials, 16(1). View this article in WRRO
- Why do patients with stroke not receive the recommended amount of active therapy (ReAcT)? Study protocol for a multisite case study investigation. BMJ Open, 5(8), e008443-e008443. View this article in WRRO
- Innovations in aphasia treatment after stroke: technology to the rescue. British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, 11(Sup2), 38-42.
- Exploring patient and public involvement in stroke research: a qualitative study. Disability and Rehabilitation, 37(23), 2174-2183. View this article in WRRO
- Preference-based health-related quality of life in the context of aphasia: a research synthesis. Aphasiology, 29(7), 763-780.
- Stroke Research Staff’s Experiences of Seeking Consent from People with Communication Difficulties: Results of a National Online Survey. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 21(5), 443-451.
- Initial evaluation of the Consent Support Tool: a structured procedure to facilitate the inclusion and engagement of people with aphasia in the informed consent process.. Int J Speech Lang Pathol, 16(2), 159-168.
- Cost-utility of self-managed computer therapy for people with aphasia.. Int J Technol Assess Health Care, 29(4), 402-409.
- Abstract NS14: Independent Speech and Language Practice with Aphasia Computer Software is an Acceptable Alternative to Face to Face Therapy in the Long Term Post Stroke. Stroke, 44(suppl_1).
- Using computers to enable self-management of aphasia therapy exercises for word finding: The patient and carer perspective. International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders.
- Computer therapy compared with usual care for people with long-standing aphasia poststroke: a pilot randomized controlled trial.. Stroke, 43(7), 1904-1911.
- A voice input voice output communication aid: what do users and therapists require?. Journal of Assistive Technology, 2(4), 4-14.
- Guidance for Providers of Speech and Language Therapy Services: Dysarthria. Asia Pacific Journal of Speech Language and Hearing, 3(13), 171-190.
- A speech-controlled environmental control system for people with severe dysarthria.. Med Eng Phys, 29(5), 586-593.
- Addressing the needs of speakers with longstanding dysarthria: computerized and traditional therapy compared.. Int J Lang Commun Disord, 42 Suppl 1, 61-79. View this article in WRRO
- Methods of speech therapy treatment for stable dysarthria: A review. Advances in Speech Language Pathology, 9(2), 140-153.
- Using computers to help with the management of rehabilitation services. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 13(3), 100-100.
- Simple graphical methods of displaying multiple clinical results. Pharmaceutical Statistics, 1(5), 51-60.
- View this article in WRRO
- Mapping the development process of transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation devices for neurorehabilitation, the associated barriers and facilitators, and its applicability to acquired dysarthria: a qualitative study of manufacturers’ perspectives. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 1-12.
- Complex speech-language therapy interventions for stroke-related aphasia: the RELEASE study incorporating a systematic review and individual participant data network meta-analysis. Health and Social Care Delivery Research, 10(28), 1-272.
- Developing, monitoring, and reporting of fidelity in aphasia trials: core recommendations from the collaboration of aphasia trialists (CATs) trials for aphasia panel. Aphasiology, 1-23.
- Dosage, Intensity, and Frequency of Language Therapy for Aphasia: A Systematic Review–Based, Individual Participant Data Network Meta-Analysis. Stroke.
- Self-managed, computerised word finding therapy as an add-on to usual care for chronic aphasia post-stroke: An economic evaluation. Clinical Rehabilitation, 026921552097534-026921552097534.
- 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. View this article in WRRO
- What speech and language therapy do community dwelling stroke survivors with aphasia receive in the UK?. PLOS ONE, 13(7), e0200096-e0200096. View this article in WRRO
- View this article in WRRO
Chapters
- Rehabilitation of Communication Disorders, Clinical Pathways in Stroke Rehabilitation (pp. 175-190). Springer International Publishing
Conference proceedings papers
- Who participates in aphasia research? An analysis of the REhabilitation and recovery of peopLE with Aphasia after StrokE (RELEASE) data set. Aphasiology, Vol. 32(sup1) (pp 2-4)
Website content
Posters
Other
Preprints
- Identifying the active ingredients of a computerized speech and language therapy intervention for poststroke aphasia: multiple methods investigation alongside a randomized controlled trial. JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies, 10. View this article in WRRO
- Grants
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- Collaborator – VocaTempo Evaluation of the use of Voice Input Voice Output Communication Aid in adults with dysarthria. 2022-2024 [NIHR RfPB £180,000] (CI Kate Fryer, Barnsley NHS Trust/Sheffield University)
- Collaborator – VAMCAST Validation of the Mental Capacity Assessment Support Tool. 2022-2024 [NIHR RfPB £160,000] (CI Mark Jayes, Manchester Metropolitan University)
- Lead investigator – APT aphasia partnership training project 2021-2023 [NIHR Programme Development Grant £150,000] (co-lead Madeline Cruice, City University)
- British Association of Stroke Physicians and NIHR Stroke Research Network writing grant for Communication Partner Training. £2000. PI. 2019-2020
- HEFCE-NIHR Senior Academic Clinical Lectureship, 2012-2017 [£250,000]
- Chief investigator - Big CACTUS trial, Cost-effectiveness of aphasia computer therapy versus usual stimulation 2013-2018 [NIHR HTA grant £1.5 million]
- Collaborator - Why do stroke patients not receive the recommended amount of therapy? 2014-2017 [NIHR RfPB grant £347,089] (CI David Clarke, Leeds)
- Collaborator – STAR Speech Therapy Articulation Rehabilitation, 2015-2017 [NIHR i4i grant £339,534] (CI Stuart Cunningham, Sheffield)
- Collaborator - BEADS – behavioural therapy for depression post-stroke, 2014-2016 [NIHR HTA grant, £430,583] (CI Shirley Thomas, Nottingham)
- Collaborator – RELEASE - REhabilitation and recovery of peopLE with Aphasia after StrokE (RELEASE): Utilizing secondary data to enhance speech and language therapy interventions for people with aphasia after stroke, 2016-2018 [NIHR HS&DR £446,158] (CI Marian Brady, Glasgow)
- Teaching interests
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I am interim Programme Director for the MSc Clinical Research in which we aim to build research capacity in all health professionals.
I also lead the 30-credit module on Practical Aspects of Clinical Research. I have supervised 5 PhD students to completion and have one current ongoing PhD student. This includes supporting allied health professionals to successfully obtain prestigious NIHR and Stroke Association doctoral fellowship awards. Please contact me if you are interested in studying for a PhD with me in communication disorders, stroke rehabilitation, and rehabilitation technology.
- Professional activities and memberships
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- Co-chair of the World Federation of Neuro Rehabilitation aphasia special interest group
- Member of Stroke Association research funding committee
- Member of Collaboration of Aphasia Trialists (CATs) funded by European Cooperation in Science and Technology
- Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
- Health Professions Council Registered
- Member of international Trials in Aphasia Panel (TAP)
- Member of NICE stroke rehabilitation guideline committee
- Member of the International Journal of Communication and Language Disorders executive editorial board
Past activities
- Member of the UK Stroke Forum scientific committee (2010-2016)
- Associate editor for Trials
- Trustee for Research and Development for the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (2016-2022)