Aphasia is a problem of speech that comes about when there is brain injury. This injury may be due to a cerebrovascular accident (stroke), a tumour, an infective process or a psychiatric condition (dementia, for example). It is characterised by varying degrees of inability to speak, understand spoken language, read and write. Depending on the deficit, it can be described as being global or partial. Aphasia treatment is instituted to rehabilitate the affected individuals and to train them in ways that they can communicate in spite of their limitations.
The degree of improvement following therapy is determined by a number of factors. These include the severity of brain injury, the exact site, the cause and the state of health of the patient. When mild, treatment is usually not necessary. Most of the cases will resolve by themselves in a matter of hours or days. Severe forms do require treatment, however. It is worth noting that there is always some form of long term deficit in patients who have had moderate to severe forms.
Language and speech therapy (LST) is the most effective of the currently available modes of intervention. It is a mode of therapy that seeks to help patients regain their communicating ability through practice. In the event that this is not possible, they are helped to learn how to use other means of communication. If done intensively (about 10 hours per day for 2 months) the outcome is much better than the slower approach of two to three hours per day for 6 months.
Speech therapy should be started as soon as the diagnosis is made to maximize its benefits. It is fairly slow and requires a lot of patience from the therapist, the patient and the family members. It is done in a step-wise manner until one is near normal. For instance, initial therapies are mainly aimed at helping patients identify and name objectives. As they improve, they can be asked to explain the uses of these objects.
It is necessary, in most cases, to make adjustments in the technique of communication to accommodate the deficits. Gesturing, drawing as well as other non-verbal cues become very valuable to these patients. The use of books with illustrations will help them communicate their messages easier.
Transcranial stimulation is a fairly new technique of therapy. It uses either magnetic fields or electric current to stimulate affected areas so that they can start functioning again. It is a mildly invasive method that is often used in combination with other techniques.
A lot of research aimed at identifying effective drugs is going on currently. Although clinical trials are not yet complete, there is evidence that a number of drugs are beneficial. The drugs use different mechanisms to act such as increasing blood flow to affected areas, replenishing depleted neurotransmitters and improving recovery.
Group therapy is required to augment any other forms of aphasia treatment. Response to therapy in patients also undergoing group therapy is better than in those who are not. These groups help patients to relate to each other and not to feel that they are isolated. They practise language skills and correct each other whenever there is need.
The degree of improvement following therapy is determined by a number of factors. These include the severity of brain injury, the exact site, the cause and the state of health of the patient. When mild, treatment is usually not necessary. Most of the cases will resolve by themselves in a matter of hours or days. Severe forms do require treatment, however. It is worth noting that there is always some form of long term deficit in patients who have had moderate to severe forms.
Language and speech therapy (LST) is the most effective of the currently available modes of intervention. It is a mode of therapy that seeks to help patients regain their communicating ability through practice. In the event that this is not possible, they are helped to learn how to use other means of communication. If done intensively (about 10 hours per day for 2 months) the outcome is much better than the slower approach of two to three hours per day for 6 months.
Speech therapy should be started as soon as the diagnosis is made to maximize its benefits. It is fairly slow and requires a lot of patience from the therapist, the patient and the family members. It is done in a step-wise manner until one is near normal. For instance, initial therapies are mainly aimed at helping patients identify and name objectives. As they improve, they can be asked to explain the uses of these objects.
It is necessary, in most cases, to make adjustments in the technique of communication to accommodate the deficits. Gesturing, drawing as well as other non-verbal cues become very valuable to these patients. The use of books with illustrations will help them communicate their messages easier.
Transcranial stimulation is a fairly new technique of therapy. It uses either magnetic fields or electric current to stimulate affected areas so that they can start functioning again. It is a mildly invasive method that is often used in combination with other techniques.
A lot of research aimed at identifying effective drugs is going on currently. Although clinical trials are not yet complete, there is evidence that a number of drugs are beneficial. The drugs use different mechanisms to act such as increasing blood flow to affected areas, replenishing depleted neurotransmitters and improving recovery.
Group therapy is required to augment any other forms of aphasia treatment. Response to therapy in patients also undergoing group therapy is better than in those who are not. These groups help patients to relate to each other and not to feel that they are isolated. They practise language skills and correct each other whenever there is need.
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