The relationship between non-linguistic cognitive deficits and language recovery in patients with aphasia.
OBJECTIVE
Non-linguistic cognitive impairments may limit rehabilitation efficacy in patients with aphasia. The aim of this study was to determine whether post-stroke aphasia was associated with impairments of visuo-spatial working memory and abstract thinking and whether these deficits adversely affected language recovery.


METHODS
Baseline visuo-spatial memory and abstract thinking abilities were assessed in 78 patients with post-stroke aphasia and 38 healthy controls. Then, 47 of the 78 patients with aphasia completed three weeks of speech and language training. Therapy outcome was assessed by comparing pre- and post-treatment scores on the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination.


RESULTS
Even though the patients' non-linguistic cognitive abilities were impaired in general, the patients were heterogeneous with regard to their deficits. Linguistic and non-linguistic deficits appeared to be distinct, although they could be concurrent. Visuo-spatial working memory was associated with the degree of improvement in two functions crucial to language communication: naming and comprehension. No relationship was found between language therapy outcome and abstract thinking ability.
Seniów
Joanna
J
2nd Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland. seniowj@ipin.edu.pl
Litwin
Marika
M
Leśniak
Marcin
M
D001037:Aphasia / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007807:Language Tests; D007808:Language Therapy; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000150:complications; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D013070:Speech Therapy; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D013850:Thinking; D016896:Treatment Outcome