The consequences of a stroke are often associated with physical impairments such as paralysis. A less well-known impairment is aphasia.

Basics of Aphasia

Aphasia is a language disorder that often occurs after a stroke. It affects the ability to understand and produce spoken or written language. Those affected may have difficulties with speaking, understanding, reading, and writing. The meaning of words can be forgotten and complex linguistic structures are often difficult to process. People with aphasia often have a correct understanding of their surroundings and the general situation but cannot describe or put it into words. For example, a patient with aphasia might know that there is a bank along the river where one can sit and enjoy the view, but they may not understand the term “bank” for it. It is comparable to learning a new language, where the meaning of a word may vary, but the objects and their use remain consistent. For instance, they might interpret the word “bank” as a financial institution where money is kept safe.

Diagnosis of Aphasia

The diagnosis of aphasia after a stroke involves various approaches. A functional approach is central, where the patient’s language abilities are tested. This includes repeating words and naming pictures to test language comprehension. Standardized and normed tests such as the Aachen Aphasia Test (AAT) help determine the severity of aphasia and which language areas are affected. These tests include tasks for understanding sentences as well as reading and writing.

Goals of Therapy

Speech therapy for aphasia pursues both short-term and long-term goals. In the short term, the focus is on restoring fundamental functions. In the long term, it is about the patient’s participation and activity in daily life. Progress is monitored through regular assessments and reviews of tasks, and therapies are continuously adjusted to their progress to achieve the best possible therapy outcome.

Therapy Methods

The treatment of aphasia changes during the course of rehabilitation.

After discharge from the acute hospital, neurorehabilitation ideally begins immediately. The focus is on restoring lost language functions. This includes naming training, writing and dictation exercises, as well as matching words to pictures. Intensive practice and stimulation are performed to regain as many language abilities as possible.

In the later rehabilitation phase, when the stroke occurred some time ago, the chance of fully regaining language ability is smaller than immediately after the stroke. However, there is still the possibility of making further progress and improving the quality of life for those affected. It is important to first establish the main goals in speech therapy with the patient and their relatives and then work intensively on these goals. Alternative communication methods are also discussed, such as communication books. A communication book is an aid consisting of pictures, symbols, and written words, helping the patient express themselves when speaking is difficult.

Online Therapy for Aphasia

Online therapy offers an alternative to outpatient or inpatient therapy. It provides access to therapy regardless of the patient’s location and can include similar methods and exercises as traditional therapy. Online therapy allows patients to integrate training into their daily lives and work on their personal goals at any time. Over the past years, cereneo has collected knowledge and insights from inpatient speech therapy and the results of research studies to develop specific online therapy programs for aphasia that are accessible worldwide. For more information about online therapy options, please visit: https://cereneo.ch/online-rehabilitation/#onlinemodules