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
91Ö±²¥
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 91Ö±²¥ in 2005. From 2005 to 2010 I worked as a specialist SLT in the stroke unit at 91Ö±²¥ 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 , 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
- . JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies, 10.
- . International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders.
- . Aphasiology.
- . Stroke.
- . Disability and Rehabilitation.
- . International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders.
- . Health Technology Assessment, 24(19), 1-176.
- . The Lancet Neurology, 18(9), 821-833.
- . Health Technology Assessment, 23(47), 1-176.
- . Disability and Rehabilitation.
- . Clinical Rehabilitation, 32(8), 1119-1132.
- . Trials, 17(1).
- . Trials, 16(1).
- . Aphasiology, 29(7), 763-780.
- . Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 21(5), 443-451.
- . Int J Speech Lang Pathol, 16(2), 159-168.
- . International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders.
- . Stroke, 43(7), 1904-1911.
- . PLOS ONE, 13(7), e0200096-e0200096.
All publications
Books
- Consent Support Tool: Including people with communication disorders in health research. J&R Press.
- Consent Support Tool: Including People with Communication Disorders in Health Research Studies. Macclesfield: Napier Hill Press.
- Frenchay Dysarthria Assessment Second Edition. Philadelphia: Pro-Ed.
- Lemon and Lime Library: An Articulation Screen and Resource Pack. Speechmark Publishing Ltd.
Journal articles
- . JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies, 10.
- . International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders.
- . International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders.
- . Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 65(5).
- . Tizard Learning Disability Review.
- . Int J Stroke, 17474930221097477.
- . BMJ Open, 12(1).
- . Aphasiology.
- . Aphasiology.
- . Stroke.
- . Disability and Rehabilitation.
- . International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders.
- . Frontiers in Neurology, 11.
- . Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology, 23(8), S52-S56.
- . Disability and Rehabilitation.
- . International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 22(3), 302-312.
- . Health Technology Assessment, 24(19), 1-176.
- . The Lancet Neurology, 18(9), 821-833.
- . Health Technology Assessment, 23(47), 1-176.
- . Disability and Rehabilitation.
- . Clinical Rehabilitation, 32(8), 1119-1132.
- . PharmacoEconomics.
- . Aphasiology, 32, 183-186.
- . Disability and Rehabilitation.
- . PLoS ONE, 12(3).
- . International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 18(5), 411-419.
- . Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 2(1).
- . Trials, 17(1).
- . Trials, 16(1).
- . BMJ Open, 5(8), e008443-e008443.
- . British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, 11(Sup2), 38-42.
- . Disability and Rehabilitation, 37(23), 2174-2183.
- . Aphasiology, 29(7), 763-780.
- . Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 21(5), 443-451.
- . Int J Speech Lang Pathol, 16(2), 159-168.
- . Int J Technol Assess Health Care, 29(4), 402-409.
- A stroke staff training programme involving expert patients: a case study of its impact on staff and service development. International Practice Development Journal, 3(2).
- . Stroke, 44(suppl_1).
- A review paper of the current status of electronic health records worldwide: The adoption gap between developed and developing countries.. The journal of health informatics in developing countries, 7(2), 153-164.
- . International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders.
- A Voice-Input Voice-Output Communication Aid for People with Severe Speech Impairment. IEEE Transactions on neural systems and rehabilitation engineering, 1(21), 23-31.
- . Stroke, 43(7), 1904-1911.
- One size does not fit all: Obtaining informed consent from people with aphasia. Advances in Clinical Neurosciences & Rehabilitation, 2(11), 30-31.
- . Journal of Assistive Technology, 2(4), 4-14.
- . Asia Pacific Journal of Speech Language and Hearing, 3(13), 171-190.
- . Med Eng Phys, 29(5), 586-593.
- . Int J Lang Commun Disord, 42 Suppl 1, 61-79.
- . Advances in Speech Language Pathology, 9(2), 140-153.
- . International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 13(3), 100-100.
- . Pharmaceutical Statistics, 1(5), 51-60.
- The effect of three practice conditions,on the consistency of chronic dysarthric speech. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY, 12(4), 183-188.
- . Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 1-12.
- . Health and Social Care Delivery Research, 10(28), 1-272.
- . Aphasiology, 1-23.
- . Stroke.
- . Clinical Rehabilitation, 026921552097534-026921552097534.
- . Aphasiology.
- . PLOS ONE, 13(7), e0200096-e0200096.
- To what extent can people with communication difficulties contribute to health research?. Nurse Researcher, 20(3), 12-16.
- A voice-input voice-output communication aid for people with severe speech impairment.. IEEE Trans on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering.
Chapters
Conference proceedings papers
- Incorporating Voice Activated Communication Aids into Everyday Communication. Communication Matters - THE JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION MATTERS / ISAAC (UK), Vol. 38(2) (pp 22-26). Leeds, UK, 7 September 2023 - 7 September 2023.
- Making Research Summaries Accessible to People with Aphasia Following Stroke: An International Co-design Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STROKE, Vol. 18(2) (pp 12-12)
- exploring treatment fidelity of computer speech and language therapy for aphasia in the Big CACTUS trial: A process evaluation. International Journal of Stroke, Vol. 4(suppl) (pp 24-24)
- Exploring treatment fidelity of computer speech and language therapy for aphasia in the Big CACTUS trial: a process evaluation. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STROKE, Vol. 14(4_SUPPL) (pp 24-24)
- . Aphasiology, Vol. 32(sup1) (pp 2-4)
- What are the factors influencing the implementation of self-managed computerised therapy for people with long term aphasia following stroke? A qualitative study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STROKE, Vol. 12 (pp 23-23)
- Behavioural activation therapy for depression after stroke (BEADS): a feasibility randomised controlled pilot trial of a psychological intervention for post-stroke depression. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STROKE, Vol. 12 (pp 15-15)
- Identifying barriers and enablers of adherence to self-directed aphasia computer therapy: a patient and carer perspective. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STROKE, Vol. 12 (pp 23-23)
- Using available information and communication technologies to deliver self-managed interventions for functional physical stroke rehabilitation what should be considered? (A review). CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASES, Vol. 43
- Rationale for using available technologies to deliver remote support for self-management of stroke exercises: Practical factors from stroke survivors perspective. CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASES, Vol. 43
- Exploring the use of therapy timetabling in stroke units: Selected findings from ReAcT, a qualitative case study in 8 stroke units in England. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STROKE, Vol. 11 (pp S8-S8)
- What do people with aphasia want to be able to say?. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STROKE, Vol. 11 (pp S49-S49)
- Creating an international, multidisciplinary, aphasia dataset of individual patient data (IPD) for the REhabilitation and recovery of peopLE with Aphasia after StrokE (RELEASE) project. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STROKE, Vol. 11 (pp S50-S50)
- Defining and measuring the components of a complex neuro-rehabilitation intervention for aphasia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STROKE, Vol. 11 (pp S19-S19)
- Development of a mental capacity assessment support tool: A user-centred design process. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STROKE, Vol. 10 (pp 65-65)
- Patient and public involvement in stroke research in the UK: a qualitative study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STROKE, Vol. 8 (pp 16-16)
- Patient and Public involvement in stroke research in the UK: a qualitative study. International Journal of Stroke, Vol. 3(8) (pp 18-18)
- Taking consent from people with communication difficulties post stroke: results of a national online survey. International Journal of Stroke, Vol. 3(8) (pp 30)
- "How can we manage our own exercises?": support identified by stroke survivors and carers to enable them to carry out independent exercise. International Journal of Stroke, Vol. 3(8) (pp 22). Harrogate, 3 December 2013 - 5 December 2013.
- Do volunteers have a role in the workforce to support long term speech and language rehabilitation?. International Journal of Stroke, Vol. 3(8) (pp 32). Harrogate, 3 December 2013 - 5 December 2013.
- 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, Vol. 44(2)
- Initial evaluation of a procedure to obtain informed consent from people with communication difficulties. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STROKE, Vol. 7 (pp 38-38)
- Have your say: Involving people with communication disorders in research. International Journal of Stroke, Vol. 3(5) (pp 41-42). Glasgow, 29 November 2010 - 2 December 2010.
- Development of a voice-input voice-output communication aid (VIVOCA) for people with severe dysarthria. COMPUTERS HELPING PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, PROCEEDINGS, Vol. 4061 (pp 882-885)
- An integrated toolkit deploying speech technology for computer based speech training with application to dysarthric speakers.. INTERSPEECH
Website content
Posters
- Development and Evaluation of a Mental Capacity Assessment Support Tool. The Mental Capacity Act 2005: Ten Years On Conference, University of Liverpool, UK..
- Supporting patients with communication needs during mental capacity assessments. Patient Information Forum Conference, London, UK..
Other
Preprints
- 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/91Ö±²¥ 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 – 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, 91Ö±²¥)
- 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)