Exploring the Efficacy of Neuroplasticity-Driven Speech Therapy for Post-Stroke Aphasia Recovery: A Multimodal Intervention Approach

Objective: This study investigated the efficacy of a multimodal speech therapy intervention informed by neuroplasticity principles in promoting post-stroke aphasia recovery.

Methods: A quasi-experimental design with 17 participants, using pre- and post-test assessments to compare the intervention –incorporating Constraint-Induced Aphasia Therapy (CIAT), Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT), Script Training, and Cognitive-Communication Therapy (CCT)– to traditional speech therapy in individuals with aphasia.

The Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination (BDAE) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) assessed language and cognitive function, while the Functional Outcome Questionnaire for Aphasia (FOQ-A) and in-depth interviews evaluated functional communication and subjective experiences.

Results: The intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in expressive language (25% increase vs. 12% control), receptive language (20% vs. 14% control), language comprehension (18% vs. 8% control), and cognitive performance (15% vs. 9% control). Qualitative findings revealed enhanced communicative effectiveness, increased confidence in verbal interactions, and improved quality of life in the intervention group.

Conclusions: This multimodal, neuroplasticity-driven intervention improved language and cognitive function in individuals with post-stroke aphasia, demonstrating its potential as an effective rehabilitation strategy. Future research should focus on long-term efficacy, individual response variability, and intervention optimization.

Content

Author and article information

Journal

Title: ScienceOpen Preprints

Publisher: ScienceOpen

Publication date (Electronic preprint): 25 March 2024

Affiliations

[1 ] SAERA School of Advanced Education, Research and Accreditation S.L.;

Author notes

[* ]Email: sarah.t.karim@ 123456gmail.com .

Author information

Sarah Karim https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5261-7725

Article

DOI: 10.14293/PR2199.000781.v1

SO-VID: eaf94c23-0efa-4d04-a896-f1cab68a4d85

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This work has been published open access under Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0 , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Conditions, terms of use and publishing policy can be found at www.scienceopen.com .

History

Date received : 25 March 2024

References

Akabogu Josephine, Nnamani Amuche, Otu Mkpoikanke Sunday, Ukoha Evelyn, Uloh-Bethels Annah C., Obiezu Maureen Nnenna, Ike Chioma Vivian, Iyekekpolor Olayinka M., Omile Jacinta Chinwe, Dike Anastasia E.. Efficacy of cognitive behavior language therapy for aphasia following stroke: Implications for language education research. Medicine. Vol. 98(18)2019. Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). [Cross Ref]
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Kolb Bryan, Gibb Robbin. Searching for the principles of brain plasticity and behavior. Cortex. Vol. 58:251–260. 2014. Elsevier BV. [Cross Ref]
Laver Kate E, George Stacey, Thomas Susie, Deutsch Judith E, Crotty Maria. Virtual reality for stroke rehabilitation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2015. Wiley. [Cross Ref]
MAHER LYNN M., KENDALL DIANE, SWEARENGIN JENNIFER A., RODRIGUEZ AMY, LEON SUSAN A., PINGEL KARYN, HOLLAND AUDREY, ROTHI LESLIE J. GONZALEZ. A pilot study of use-dependent learning in the context of Constraint Induced Language Therapy. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society. Vol. 12(06)2006. Cambridge University Press (CUP). [Cross Ref]

Comments

Comment on this article

[1] Akabogu Josephine, Nnamani Amuche, Otu Mkpoikanke Sunday, Ukoha Evelyn, Uloh-Bethels Annah C., Obiezu Maureen Nnenna, Ike Chioma Vivian, Iyekekpolor Olayinka M., Omile Jacinta Chinwe, Dike Anastasia E.. Efficacy of cognitive behavior language therapy for aphasia following stroke: Implications for language education research. Medicine. Vol. 98(18)2019. Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). [Cross Ref]

[2] Breitenstein Caterina, Grewe Tanja, Flöel Agnes, Ziegler Wolfram, Springer Luise, Martus Peter, Huber Walter, Willmes Klaus, Ringelstein E Bernd, Haeusler Karl Georg, Abel Stefanie, Glindemann Ralf, Domahs Frank, Regenbrecht Frank, Schlenck Klaus-Jürgen, Thomas Marion, Obrig Hellmuth, de Langen Ernst, Rocker Roman, Wigbers Franziska, Rühmkorf Christina, Hempen Indra, List Jonathan, Baumgaertner Annette, Villringer A, Bley M, Jöbges M, Halm K, Schulz J, Werner C, Goldenberg G, Klingenberg G, König E, Müller F, Gröne B, Knecht S, Baake R, Knauss J, Miethe S, Steller U, Sudhoff R, Schillikowski E, Pfeiffer G, Billo K, Hoffmann H, Ferneding F-J, Runge S, Keck T, Middeldorf V, Krüger S, Wilde B, Krakow K, Berghoff C, Reinhuber F, Maser I, Hofmann W, Sous-Kulke C, Schupp W, Oertel A, Bätz D, Hamzei F, Schulz K, Meyer A, Kartmann A, Som O'N, Schipke S-B, Bamborschke S. Intensive speech and language therapy in patients with chronic aphasia after stroke: a randomised, open-label, blinded-endpoint, controlled trial in a health-care setting. The Lancet. Vol. 389(10078):1528–1538. 2017. Elsevier BV. [Cross Ref]

[3] Heiss W.-D., Thiel A.. A proposed regional hierarchy in recovery of post-stroke aphasia. Brain and Language. Vol. 98(1):118–123. 2006. Elsevier BV. [Cross Ref]

[4] Hillis Argye E.. Aphasia. Neurology. Vol. 69(2):200–213. 2007. Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). [Cross Ref]

[5] Kiran Swathi, Thompson Cynthia K.. The Role of Semantic Complexity in Treatment of Naming Deficits. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. Vol. 46(4):773–787. 2003. American Speech Language Hearing Association. [Cross Ref]

[6] Kolb Bryan, Gibb Robbin. Searching for the principles of brain plasticity and behavior. Cortex. Vol. 58:251–260. 2014. Elsevier BV. [Cross Ref]

[7] Laver Kate E, George Stacey, Thomas Susie, Deutsch Judith E, Crotty Maria. Virtual reality for stroke rehabilitation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2015. Wiley. [Cross Ref]

[8] MAHER LYNN M., KENDALL DIANE, SWEARENGIN JENNIFER A., RODRIGUEZ AMY, LEON SUSAN A., PINGEL KARYN, HOLLAND AUDREY, ROTHI LESLIE J. GONZALEZ. A pilot study of use-dependent learning in the context of Constraint Induced Language Therapy. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society. Vol. 12(06)2006. Cambridge University Press (CUP). [Cross Ref]