Language Therapy In Aphasia Research Articles

Meta-Analysis of Constraint-Induced Language Therapy in Aphasia

Constraint-Induced Language Therapy (CILT) 중재는 집중적인 일정 동안 구어를 극대화하여 사용할 수 있게 구조화한 실어증 중재방법이다. 여러 연구들이 CILT 중재의 효과를 검증하였지만 상이한 연구결과가 혼재하였다. 이에 본 연구에서는 메타 분석을 통해 실어증 환자 대상으로 CILT 중재의 효과성을 보고한 개별 연구들의...

Communication activity in stroke patients with aphasia

To study communication disability in stroke patients with aphasia. Prospective, multicentric cohort study of patients with aphasia, consecutively included after a first stroke, and examined 1 year later at home. Assessment included a stroke severity scale, the Barthel Index, the boston diagnostic aphasia examination, a communication questionnaire, and the aphasia depression rating scale. A total of 164 patients were included. Among the 100 survivors assessed at follow-up, 24% had severe aphasia, 12% moderate aphasia and 64% mild aphasia according to the Boston diagnostic aphasia examination severity score. Patients mainly reported difficulties in conversation with strangers and/or on abstract topics, using a phone, reading and writing administrative documents, dealing with money and outdoor communication activities. Communication was strongly related to aphasia severity. Age, gender, education level, residence status and type of stroke had no influence on communication activity. On multivariate analysis, severity of stroke and severity of aphasia on inclusion were found to account for 58% of variance and were independent predictors of the communication questionnaire score at follow-up. Documenting the most impaired communication skills may help to set priority goals for speech and language therapy in aphasia.

Implementation of computer-based language therapy in aphasia

A first step in evaluating the use of computers in language therapy for individuals with aphasia is to establish the treatment as active in small groups prior to large-scale clinical trials. The present study evaluated a comprehensive computer-based language therapy program in a group of eight individuals with chronic in aphasia varying broadly in age, time post onset and aphasia type. Results revealed an overall therapeutic benefit in auditory comprehension, as well as positive trends in functional communication. Findings suggest that comprehensive therapy programs may be beneficial for many individuals with aphasia, and computer-based therapy may be one feasible avenue of providing this intervention.

Language Therapy in Aphasia

The aim of language therapy in aphasia is to assist the patient to regain his independence in their daily life as much as possible. This aim is achieved by utilizing the following four functions of language therapy : (1) reconstruction of once-disturbed neurolinguistic functions, (2) development and practice of compensatory methods of communication, (3) counseling of the patient's family, and (4) promoting the patient's acceptance of his disorder by experiencing the process of language therapy itself. In the present paper, language therapy for aphasia practised in Izu Nirayama Rehabilitation Hospital during the past five years is briefly reported and discussed, with special reference to reconstruction of neurolinguistic functions. In order to reconstruct disturbed neurolinguistic functions, the stimulation method proposed by Schuell, et al (1964) has been adopted in our hospital. Stimuli and responses may be verbal or nonverbal. The stimulation method is considered to be effective for language recovery as long as either stimulus or response is verbal, and a positive response is drawn from patients. The stimuli are categorized into two types, (1) the therapy stimuli, which are controlled and provided by therapists, and (2) the environmental stimuli, which are not controlled. It is supposedly effective to offer patients not only efficient therapy stimuli, but also abundant oppotunities to respond to environmental stimuli. Importance of stimulation from multi-modalities, especially from the intact modalities, is emphasized. For example, in the therapy for disturbance in writing kanas, a meaning is artificially attached to each kana, so that the kanji processor, which is neurolinguistically different from the kana processor can be utilized. Importance of utilizing the contextual information, which is a function of the whole brain at large, is also mentioned. In order to activate general brain functions, activities such as playing games before or along with language therapy are important. Finally the statistical data on aphasic patients, speech therapists, and so forth in our hospital from 1974 to 1979 are presented.