The rate and extent of improvement with therapy from the different types of aphasia in the first year after stroke.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the rate and extent of improvement from the different types of aphasia in the first year after stroke.


METHODS
A prospective longitudinal study.


METHODS
A specialist stroke unit.


METHODS
Seventy-five aphasic patients with first-ever stroke.


METHODS
The type of aphasia was classified according to the criteria of the Western Aphasia Battery. The Western Aphasia Battery aphasia quotient was used to measure the initial severity and the rate and extent of improvement from aphasia. Assessments were made at baseline and 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks later.


RESULTS
The median percentage increase in the Western Aphasia Battery aphasia quotient was statistically higher in patients with Broca's aphasia than in the other groups at all weeks. Patients with Wernicke's aphasia had a significantly greater median percentage increase in their aphasia quotient than those with conduction and anomic aphasia at weeks 12 and 24, but less than patients with global aphasia at week 24.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with Broca's aphasia appear to have the best prognosis for improvement of language function in the first year of stroke. The extent of improvement in patients with global aphasia is better than that of patients with Wernicke's aphasia.
Bakheit
A M O
AM
Peninsula Medical School, Universities of Exeter & Plymouth, UK. magid.bakheit@pcs-tr.swest.nhs.uk
Shaw
S
S
Carrington
S
S
Griffiths
S
S
D000368:Aged; D001037:Aphasia / Q000145:classification* / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011379:Prognosis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications