Physical medicine and rehabilitation management in aphasia.

Abstract

The relation of speech activity to other forms of motor activity was studied in 58 hemiplegic patients with aphasia. They were compared with another group of 51 hemiplegics without aphasia. Impairment of speech was found to be correlated with weakness of the hand; stimuli intended to elicit verbal responses often elicited motor responses of other kinds, and many aphasic patients when permitted to get out of bed, stand, and walk seemed to improve their ability to communicate. It is concluded that motor experience is important for language experience. The motor activities of dressing and walking either facilitate speech or otherwise facilitate the learning processes connected therewith. Occupational therapy reinforces speech therapy, and the two have been combined successfully in joint therapy sessions.