LUNA has five phases.

Phase 1 is a review of language and discourse theories and models, and  review discourse treatment research in aphasia, to develop a single underlying unified framework that supports LUNA assessment, treatment and outcome measurement.

Phase 2 is a UK-wide online survey of practising speech and language therapists (SLTs) to gain information regarding their discourse knowledge and skills, and what helps and hinders them to deliver discourse assessment in practice.

Phase 3 is the development of LUNA, informed by the findings of Phases 1 and 2. It involves the design of all analysis, treatment, and outcome measurement materials with a small group of NHS SLTs and people with chronic aphasia, so that they are easily understood by service providers and recipients.

Phase 4 is the development and delivery of a training programme to enhance SLTs’ knowledge and skills in LUNA analysis. We will trial this with 60 SLTs to ensure we are confident that any new analysis tool could be accurately and efficiently undertaken in regular clinical practice.

Phase 5 is a feasibility study. We will test the discourse treatment (LUNA plus usual care – weekly community group) compared to usual care only in 24 people with chronic aphasia, to explore whether it is feasible and acceptable; whether it has any benefit to discourse and psychosocial state; and whether it can be delivered as intended in the manual.