Our first paper from the APEX (Aphasia Physical EXercise) project has been published in Aphasiology!
In this pilot study, we explored the feasibility of a high-intensity exercise program specifically designed for stroke survivors with aphasia, as well as its potential to support language, cognitive, and physical outcomes.
This was a small first study, but an important step toward a larger goal: understanding how physical exercise can serve as an adjuvant intervention for aphasia recovery—helping people not only improve their physical fitness but potentially support cognitive and language recovery as well.
The findings from this work helped pave the way for our ongoing larger clinical trial, where we are continuing to investigate these questions more rigorously.
We are excited to see where this work takes us.

Below you can read the first paper; more to come—stay tuned!

We are excited to announce that recruitment for our study is once again open! We are seeking individuals with post-stroke aphasia who are interested in participating in a regular exercise program.

The goal of this study is to better understand how different types of exercise may improve fitness, mobility, cognition, language, and overall well-being after stroke. The study includes assessments before and after the exercise program, as well as group exercise sessions held three times per week for 12 weeks. Some sessions will take place in person, while others will be conducted via Zoom.

For more information about the study, please visit our Current Study page

The next exercise cohort is scheduled to begin in early September, with pre-intervention assessments taking place in late July and August.

If you are interested in learning what exercise can do for you, please reach out to our team. We would love to hear from you!

The APEX research team, including Drs. Maria Ivanova and Christian Thompson, along with student researcher Lauren Cervantes from the University of San Francisco, presented their poster, “Feasibility of a Remotely Delivered High-Intensity Functional Training Program in Individuals with Post-Stroke Aphasia,” at the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Annual Meeting.

The conference provided an exciting opportunity to exchange ideas and highlight the potential of exercise interventions to improve the lives of individuals across the lifespan.

It has been a privilege to work with this amazing group of individuals throughout their exercise journey. Participants enjoyed their time in the study and are looking forward to continuing to stay active and participate in exercise programs within their communities. We are grateful for their dedication and enthusiasm and look forward to welcoming future cohorts to the APEX study!

New physical exercise study!

We are currently recruiting cohorts for a new Exercise Based Aphasia study! If you or a loved one is diagnosed with Aphasia after a stroke and wants to be a part of a new study that attempts to understand how different exercises can improve fitness, motor, cognitive, and language abilities. This novel research opens the door to new treatments for stroke recovery!

Who can join

You can take part if you:
– had a stroke and now have aphasia (language problems)
– can walk on your own (using a single-point cane is OK)
– can safely do regular exercise

Interested?

Want to be active and contribute to science? Check out our current study page to learn more!

The Aphasia Recovery lab newsletter is here!

Scroll through and see what we have been up to!

---

We are thrilled to announce that our team just received a new R01 grant from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) — R01DC022663; PI: Dr. Maria Ivanova. This exciting new project titled “Exercising language: Behavioral and neurophysiological changes after high-intensity exercise training in post-stroke aphasia” is a direct continuation of our prior work on exercise and aphasia. In this project we will explore how high-intensity physical exercise, a promising yet underutilized adjuvant intervention, can enhance language, cognition, brain health, and emotional well-being in stroke survivors with aphasia.

Building on the encouraging findings from our pilot work, the new grant will enable us to launch a large-scale clinical trial to:

---

Dr. Maria Ivanova took part in a panel discussion hosted by Stroke Onward, titled “Stronger Together: Community Programs Supporting the Emotional Journey in Recovery for People with Aphasia.” Panelists and audience members explored ways to engage people with aphasia in program design, expand facilitation models and peer-led groups, and build stronger partnerships across clinical, educational, research, and community settings. Through these collaborative discussions—and the actions that follow—the APEX Team aims to enhance quality of life and promote sustainable, inclusive support for stroke survivors with aphasia and their families throughout every stage of recovery.