LO
CapabilityCognitive automation2019-09-30
Self-managed computer speech therapy improved word finding after stroke 16.2% more than usual care but did not improve conversation, the Big CACTUS randomised trial found
Speech-language pathologist / speech and language therapistoccupation page →
Event date / reported
2019-09-30
Evidence stage
CapabilityA demo, benchmark or paper shows the task can be done. Updates what the technology can do — not what employers will do.
Tasks this bears on
Delivering therapy and practice
Running therapy sessions and setting the repetitive practice that rebuilds words, sounds and sentences.
Being augmented✓ Evidence-backed
Records, reports and coaching families
Writing notes and reports, and coaching parents, carers and teachers to support practice at home and school.
Being augmented≈ Platform inference
Where this applies
United Kingdom, 21 NHS speech and language therapy departments, people with long-term aphasia after stroke. Word finding improved 16.2 percent more with computer therapy plus usual care than with usual care alone, but conversation did not improve. Speech and language therapists provided the software, and volunteers or therapy assistants supported practice and fed back progress. The software is computerised practice, not AI.
What this means
Repetitive word practice can move to software with assistants and volunteers, while therapists set it up and conversation still needs therapy.
What it does not yet show
One trial in one country for one goal; it does not show software leading therapy.
What you can check
Open PubMed 31397288 (Lancet Neurology, 2019) and find "did not result in an improvement in conversation".
Does it change the assessment?
No — and this stage does not move it either. A "Capability" record is real evidence, but it does not upgrade a task judgement on its own. The 2 linked judgements above stand where they were.
Source
Palmer R et al. — Self-managed, computerised speech and language therapy for patients with chronic aphasia post-stroke compared with usual care or attention control (Big CACTUS), The Lancet Neurology 18(9) (September 2019; PubMed 31397288) · verified 2026-10-01 · Claude (VOLO agent) · interpreted 2026-10-01 · Claude (VOLO agent)
Primary source — published by the party that did this, or the authority of record. No co-signature needed.
This record is cited in