Lightning Oral Presentation Australian and New Zealand Stroke Organisation Conference 2026

Preliminary evaluation of the implementation of a virtual reality therapy program for communication rehabilitation (139759)

Clare Burns 1 2 , Trevor Russell 2 , Robert Cuthbert 2 , Joshua Simmich 2 , Annie J Hill 3 4 , Jade Dignam 5 , Emmah Doig 4 6 , Lisa Anemaat 5 6 , David Copland 5 , Emma Finch 4 , Brooke-Mai Whelan 4 , Ashley Cameron 4 7 , Kylie Short 6 , Michelle Slee 8 , Kate Hacking 9 , Anna Farrell 10
  1. Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, Queensland Health, Herston, QLD, Australia
  2. RECOVER Injury Research Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  3. Discipline of Speech Pathology, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne , Victoria , Australia
  4. School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  5. Queensland Aphasia Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  6. Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS), Metro North Health, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  7. HEI Innovation, Metro North Health, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  8. Speech Pathology Department, The Prince Charles Hospital , Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  9. Speech Pathology Services, Community and Oral Health, Metro North Health, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  10. Speech Pathology & Audiology Department, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Background/Aims

Research syntheses recommend the use of virtual reality (VR) in conjunction with conventional rehabilitation to support translation of therapy outcomes to every interactions. Members of this research team recently developed a VR tool, the “Chatty Bean Café” with a therapy protocol to support people with communication disorders to practice their communication skills in an everyday context.

This abstract reports on preliminary feasibility of implementing this VR program within speech-language pathology (SLP) services.  

Methods

A hybrid implementation–effectiveness, pragmatic stepped‑wedge design was conducted across four Brisbane SLP services. Participants with communication disorders and their communication partners completed VR orientation, goal setting, and 8 hours of communication therapy. Six SLPs were trained to deliver evidence‑based therapy and to manipulate VR elements (menus, posters, background noise) to target individual functional goals. Data collected included demographic and clinical outcomes, session logs, VR experience and satisfaction surveys, and semi‑structured interviews.

Results

Eleven people post‑stroke and seven communication partners completed the program, comprising over 60 therapy sessions. Therapy activities were conducted successfully across all VR café locations with poster/menus and café sound effects/background noise manipulated to increase task complexity. Participants reported minimal motion sickness and high levels of VR interactivity. Patients reported the program increased their communication skills, confidence and self-awareness which positively impacted everyday interactions. Clinicians felt the simulated environment offered benefits beyond conventional therapy.

Conclusion

Implementing a VR‑supported functional communication program within SLP services is feasible with appropriate training and supports.