title: Characterizing speech and language pathology outcomes in stroke rehabilitation.
abstract: Hatfield B, Millet D, Coles J, Gassaway J, Conroy B, Smout RJ. Characterizing speech and language pathology outcomes in stroke rehabilitation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe a subset of speech-language pathology (SLP) patients in the Post-Stroke Rehabilitation Outcomes Project and to examine outcomes for patients with low admission FIM levels of auditory comprehension and verbal expression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five inpatient rehabilitation hospitals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients (N=397) receiving post-stroke SLP with admission FIM cognitive components at levels 1 through 5.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Increase in comprehension and expression FIM scores from admission to discharge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cognitively and linguistically complex SLP activities (problem-solving and executive functioning skills) were associated with greater likelihood of success in low- to mid-level functioning communicators in the acute post-stroke rehabilitation period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results challenge common clinical practice by suggesting that use of high-level cognitively and linguistically complex SLP activities early in a patient's stay may result in more efficient practice and better outcomes regardless of the patient's functional communication severity level on admission.
authors.affiliation: National Rehabilitation Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA. brooke.hatfield@medstar.net
authors.forename: Brooke
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hatfield
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Millet
authors.forename: Janice
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Coles
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gassaway
authors.forename: Brendan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Conroy
authors.forename: Randall J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Smout
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007808:Language Therapy; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013070:Speech Therapy; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome