The clinical management and rehabilitation of post stroke aphasia in Italy: evidences from the literature and clinical experience.

Abstract

Aphasia is one of the most devastating symptoms in stroke survivors and severely affects patients' communication, quality of life, and social interactions. Several factors are critical to the prediction of aphasia recovery, including acute stroke management and subsequent language rehabilitation. A comprehensive assessment of language skills with appropriate instruments in different phases of post stroke months and years is needed in patients, in order to monitor their language improvement and to guide speech therapies over time. Beyond spontaneous recovery, the effects of speech and language therapy in terms of time and dosage of administration during the course of post stroke aphasia are still under investigation. Data point to its efficacy either in the early or in the chronic (> 6months) post stroke phase, with greater effects if intensive treatments are provided. Tailored interventions for single patients' aphasia characteristics are recommended, with different levels of evidence for specific techniques. Ongoing trials and meta-analyses will be useful in order to change the allocation of rehabilitation resources for patients with aphasia.