Supporting the development, conduct, reporting and dissemination of large scale, co-ordinated aphasia research activities which optimise the rehabilitation and recovery of people with aphasia
Aphasia impacts on ability to speak, understand speech, read, write and perform simple calculations. Funded by the Tavistock Trust for Aphasia, the Collaboration of Aphasia Trialists (CATs) is an international network of multidisciplinary aphasia investigators in rehabilitation, social science, psychology and linguistics research from across more than 50 countries.
CATs has achieved a unique position in the international landscape. It is an aphasia-specialist organisation, which harmonises methodology and datasets, providing us strength and allowing us to be future focussed and values driven.
The CATs vision is to reinforce the role of CATs as a global community, creating better futures for people affected by aphasia and to support the CATs mission to inspire positive change in aphasia research and in the implementation of evidence-based approaches. CATs aims to achieve this through high-quality aphasia research, leveraging multi-national collaboration and with attention to those under-represented. This article summarises CATs achievements in the first decade.
We are delighted to share the news that the Tavistock Trust for Aphasia has approved funding for CATs Phase 5 to run from 01 August 2026 to 31 July 2029.
CATs Phase 5 will continue to emphasize implementation, impact, and influence.
Together the CATs researchers are sharing: –
An aphasia research database which is the only comprehensive dataset of assessment details and treatment outcomes in the field of aphasia
The Trials for aphasia panel which promotes best practice in aphasia randomised controlled trials
Best practice for the adaptation of aphasia assessment tools into non-English languages
Resources to support access for people with aphasia into research
Expertise with Junior and Early-Stage Researchers
Best practice for the conduct and reporting of high-quality aphasia research
Seven working groups covering a wide spectrum of aphasia research
– Join CATs by completing a membership form and selecting a relevant Working Group.
– Gain access to aphasia resources for clinician and researchers by registering with the website. By registering, you will NOT automatically become a member of CATs.
– Log in to access resources if you already have an account with the CATs website.