Data relating to 976 patients registered as suffering an acute stroke has been analysed to determine the natural history of speech disturbance: these patients came from a community survey of 215,000 people over a 28 month period. Of the 545 patients assessed within 7 days of stroke, 24% were aphasic and 28% unassessable. At 3 weeks, when over 90% of survivors were tested, 20% of those tested had aphasia. At 6 months only 12% of survivors had significant aphasia, but 44% of patients and 57% of carers thought speech was abnormal. Of those aphasic within 7 days, 40% remained so at 6 months; 60% of those aphasic at 3 weeks remained so. There was a high correlation between early and late aphasia scores. Aphasia was associated with more severe disability (degree of limb weakness, loss of function, loss of IQ), and with a less good recovery of social activities, but did not cause any measurable increase in stress upon carers. In a Health District of 250,000 people, about 60 patients each year may be referred for speech therapy after an acute stroke.

This paper reports on a multicentre trial comparing the effects of speech therapists and untrained volunteers on recovery from aphasia following stroke. One hundred and fifty-five patients entered the study and 96 completed it. Patients in both treatment groups improved, and there were no differences overall in the amount of progress made. A small subgroup of patients who started treatment much later had equivalent initial scores and made almost as much progress as those who started earlier. It is suggested that the improvement in communication which occurred during treatment may be due both to the appropriate stimulation which was based on detailed and accurate speech therapy assessment, and to the regular support and encouragement provided within the therapeutic relationship.

SummaryA feasibility study of a proposed evaluation of speech therapy for acquired aphasia is described.Patients were allocated randomly to either individual speech therapy or an equal amount of intervention from untrained volunteers. Their progress was closely followed for 12 weeks of treatment and subsequently until the end of one year. Thirteen patients completed the study and the results are reported. After some minor changes to the Protocol the Study continues as a large scale, multicentre project.

International Journal of Language & Communication DisordersVolume 11, Issue 2 p. 144-148 Proposed Evaluation of Speech Therapy for Acquired Aphasia PAM ENDERBY, Avon Stroke Research Unit, Frenchay Hospital, BristolSearch for more papers by this authorRACHEL M. DAVID, Avon Stroke Research Unit, Frenchay Hospital, BristolSearch for more papers by this author PAM ENDERBY, Avon Stroke Research Unit, Frenchay Hospital, BristolSearch for more papers by this authorRACHEL M. DAVID, Avon Stroke Research Unit, Frenchay Hospital, BristolSearch for more papers by this author First published: October 1976 https://doi.org/10.3109/13682827609011300Citations: 6AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume11, Issue2October 1976Pages 144-148 RelatedInformation