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Access to aphasia therapy

People with aphasia should be offered therapy to gain benefits in receptive and expressive language, and communication in everyday environments.

Reference: Brady, Kelly, Godwin, & Enderby, 2012
NHMRC level of Evidence: I

Rationale: 
The results of a recent Cochrane systematic review showed that aphasia rehabilitation was more effective than no aphasia rehabilitation for functional communication, receptive language and expressive language.

Effectiveness of language therapy post stroke:

In 2012, Brady and colleagues conducted a Cochrane review which included 39 randomised control trials (RCTs) with 2518 participants. The research questions were: 

  1. Is speech and language therapy (SLT) more effective than no speech and language therapy?
  2. Is speech and language therapy more effective than social supports?
  3. Is one approach to therapy more effective than another? 

FINDINGS: The results showed that SLT was more effective than no SLT in the areas of functional communication, receptive language and expressive language. However, it was noted that some studies were reported poorly. There was no evidence of difference between social support interventions and SLT interventions on functional communication. However, a higher drop out rate was noted within the social support groups. In regards to specific treatment types the authors conclude that “there was insufficient evidence to draw any conclusions regarding the effectiveness of any one specific SLT approach over another ” (p2). 

NOTES: In general, the studies included small numbers of participants. 

OVERALL CONCLUSION: There is evidence to suggest SLT is more effective than no SLT in areas of functional communication, receptive language and expressive language.

 References:

  1. Brady, M. C., Kelly, H., Godwin, J., & Enderby, P. (2012). Speech and language therapy for aphasia following stroke. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 5, CD000425. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD000425.pub3

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l.worrall@uq.edu.au

+61 7 3365 2891

Professor Linda Worrall
The University of Queensland
ST LUCIA QLD 4072   

 

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NHMRC
The University of Queensland
La Trobe University
Macquarie University
The University of Newcastle
The University of Sydney
Edith Cowan University