Aphasia
Treatment

Multi-Modal Treatment

External Scientific Evidence

Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines

Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists; Department of Health (UK); National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE)   Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists Clinical Guidelines: 5.12 Aphasia Taylor-Goh, S., ed. (2005). RCSLT Clinical Guidelines. Bicester, Speechmark Publishing Ltd. Added: May 2012

 

Description

This guideline provides recommendations for the assessment and treatment of individuals with aphasia. These guidelines are specific to speech-language pathologists. Levels of evidence recommendations are graded A, B or C based on the following criteria: 

• Level A: Recommendations obtained from randomized controlled trials (RCT). 
• Level B: Recommendations obtained from well-conducted clinical studies.
• Level C: Recommendations obtained from expert opinion.  

Recommendations

• Non-verbal communication strategies should be considered to facilitate and improve functional communication (Level B Evidence).
• Spared language capacities should be considered to improve communication effectiveness. This includes the use of writing to bypass spoken production and the use of spoken output to compensate for writing difficulties (Level B Evidence). 

» See full summary and quality ratings

 

 

 

Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing   Clinical Guidelines for Acute Stroke Management 2010 National Stroke Foundation (2010). Melbourne (Australia): National Stroke Foundation, 167 pages.  Added: May 2012

 

Description

This guideline provides recommendations for the assessment and management of stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) in adults. These guidelines are primarily intended to assist health care workers in improving quality and effectiveness of service. Of particular interest to speech-language pathologists is chapter six which focuses on rehabilitation management for aphasia, dysphagia, dysarthria, apraxia and cognitive-communication deficits. Recommendations are graded A, B, C, D or "Good Practice Point" based on the following criteria:  

• Grade A: Evidence can be trusted to guide practice.
• Grade B: Evidence can be used to guide practice in most situations.
• Grade C: Evidence provides some support, but care should be taken in application.
• Grade D: Evidence is weak and should be applied cautiously.
• Good Practice Point: Evidence based on clinical experience and expert opinion.  

Recommendations

• The use of gestures is recommended for individuals with aphasia (Grade D Evidence).
• Alternate means of communication should consider use of drawing, writing, gestures and AAC (Good Practice Point). 

» See full summary and quality ratings

 

 

 

New Zealand Ministry of Health   New Zealand Clinical Guidelines for Stroke Management 2010 Stroke Foundation of New Zealand and New Zealand Guidelines Group (2010). Wellington (New Zealand): Stroke Foundation of New Zealand, 347 pages.  Added: May 2012

 

Description

This guideline provides recommendations for the management of individuals recovering from stroke and transient ischemic attacks. The target audience of the guideline is all healthcare professionals providing services to persons with stroke and their family in the New Zealand context. Of particular interest to speech-language pathologists are the sections discussing communication (aphasia, apraxia, dysarthria), cognition and swallowing disorders. Levels of evidence recommendations are graded as A, B, C, D or "Good Practice Points" and defined as follows:

• Level A: Body of evidence can be trusted to guide practice.
• Level B: Body of evidence can be trusted to guide practice in most situations.
• Level C: Body of evidence provides some support for recommendation(s) but care should be taken in its application.
• Level D: Body of evidence is weak and recommendation must be applied with caution.
• Good Practice Point: Recommended best practice based on clinical experience and expert opinion.  

Recommendations

• The use of gestures is recommended for individuals with aphasia (Level D Evidence). 
• Alternate means of communication should include gestures, drawing, writing and AAC (Good Practice Point). 

» See full summary and quality ratings 

 

 

 

 

Evidence-Based Systematic Reviews

No evidence-based systematic reviews were found.