Evidence for Intensive Aphasia Therapy: Consideration of Theories from Neuroscience and Cognitive Psychology

Publication date: Available online 21 June 2015 Source:PM&R Author(s): Jade K. Dignam , Amy D. Rodriguez , David Copland Treatment intensity is a critical component to the delivery of speech-language pathology and rehabilitation services. Within aphasia rehabilitation, however, there is currently insufficient evidence to guide clinical decision making with respect to the optimal treatment intensity. This review considers perspectives from two key bodies of research; the neuroscience and cognitive psychology literature, with respect to the scheduling of aphasia rehabilitation services. Neuroscience research suggests that intensive training is a key element of rehabilitation and is necessary in order to achieve functional and neurological changes post-stroke. In contrast, the cognitive psychology literature suggests that optimal long-term learning is achieved when training is provided in a distributed or non-intensive schedule. These perspectives are evaluated and discussed with respect to the current evidence for treatment intensity in aphasia rehabilitation. In addition, directions for future research are identified including study design, methods of defining and measuring treatment intensity and selection of outcome measures in aphasia rehabilitation.

Source: PMandR - June 29, 2015 Category: Rehabilitation Source Type: research