P L A I N L A N G U A G E S U M M A R Y
Speech and language therapy for aphasia following stroke
Language impairment (aphasia) is apparent in the first week in about one quarter of survivors of a stroke. About half of all spontaneous
recovery from disability occurs over the first month and can continue for six months. About 12% of survivors of are still aphasic at
six months. Therapies are aimed at improving both communication and the functional and psychosocial aspects of having language
impairment. Verbal expressive and receptive language, written language and overall functional communication can be affected. Speech
and language therapy is delivered in a range of settings (hospital, rehabilitation centre, home), individually or in groups, with formally
trained speech and language therapists or informal support from untrained providers including family and volunteers. The review
identified 12 small controlled trials in adults; the most recent in 1993 (methodological quality of trials has improved a lot since then).
The average age of participants ranged between 65 and 75 and therapy began at around three and a half months. No difference could
be determined between formal therapy and informal support. In one study the volunteers felt they had made a significant difference in
the quality of their patients’ lives.
Speech and