Bromocriptine and speech therapy in non-fluent chronic aphasia after stroke.
The objectives of this study were to investigate the efficacy of bromocriptine (BR) combined with speech therapy (ST) to improve a late recovery in non-fluent aphasic stroke patients. We performed a double-blind study with high dosage of BR, prescribed according to a dose-escalating protocol, comprehensive of clinical data, relatives' impression, and language evaluations. The study was divided into the following phases: t-0, inclusion; t-30, language re-test to evaluate the stability of aphasia; t-90, placebo (PL) and ST; t-150, BR and ST; t-210, BR; t-270, wash-out. With respect to the baseline assessment, a significant improvement was observed in the following tests: dictation (F, 4.8; p < .004), reading-comprehension (F, 8.1; p < .0003), repetition (F, 3.8; p < .01) and verbal latency (F, 4.9; p < .01). High dosage of BR promoted a late recovery in stable chronic non-fluent aphasia and this improvement was enhanced by combination with ST.
Bragoni
M
M
Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Roma La Sapienza, Italy.
Altieri
M
M
Di Piero
V
V
Padovani
A
A
Mostardini
C
C
Lenzi
G L
GL
D000368:Aged; D001037:Aphasia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013070:Speech Therapy; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D001971:Bromocriptine