To investigate the feasibility of a guided-meditation program in patients with new onset post-stroke aphasia. Secondary aims include assessing the practicality of the program, evaluating patient and caregiver acceptance, and identifying barriers to implementation.

Aphasia significantly impacts quality of life and affects a third of all stroke patients. Current treatments for aphasia aim to restore, compensate, or support language through stimulation of neuroplasticity pathways. These interventions often necessitate the involvement of therapists, family or social support, and/or the use of neurostimulation devices. Literature suggests that meditation may promote neuroplasticity by increasing cortical thickness and reducing thinning. Moreover, meditation is free and easily accessible on electronic devices, it requires no specialized training or settings, and with minimal assistance, individuals with motor, visual, and sensory deficits can engage in guided meditation without the need for a medical visit.

This prospective cohort study is being conducted at a tertiary care medical center. Investigators developed a 10-minute guided meditation video available in both English and Spanish. Inclusion criteria encompass patients with new onset post-stroke aphasia, while exclusion criteria include a history of aphasia, dementia, or an inability to access the video via an electronic device. Frequency of use will be recorded using a diary, and ease of video utilization will be assessed via survey at 1 and 3 months post-stroke admission. Feasibility will be determined by more than 50% affirmative responses on the survey and usage of the video more than three times per week on average after the initial month of enrollment.

To date, nine patients have met the criteria, and three have consented to enrollment. Data collection is ongoing.

Preliminary enrollment indicates that self-guided meditation is embraced by our patient population and their caregivers as an adjunct therapy for post-stroke aphasia. We anticipate reporting on the feasibility, potential barriers, and possible benefits.