Crossover trial of subacute computerized aphasia therapy for anomia with the addition of either levodopa or placebo.
BACKGROUND
The effect of levodopa on recovery from aphasia is controversial.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether levodopa enhances the effect of intensive computer-assisted therapy (CAT) of anomia in the postacute stage of aphasia.


METHODS
Double-blind multiple case study with intrasubject crossover design comparing the effect of levodopa (100 mg) versus placebo, each given for 2 weeks.


METHODS
Twelve patients with onset of aphasia from 2 to 9 weeks after stroke or traumatic brain injury were compared on naming performance on items trained and not trained with CAT. Subjects were randomized to either levodopa or placebo first, separated by a 1-week washout, and then switched to the other drug intervention for the second 2-week CAT intervention. The subjects also received routine aphasia therapies during these periods.


RESULTS
All patients improved their naming performance for items trained by CAT in both periods (P = .001). No significant difference was found between the placebo and levodopa phases.


CONCLUSIONS
Administration of levodopa for 2 weeks during the postacute stage of aphasia did not augment the positive effects of subacute intensive language treatment with CAT for a spoken naming task.
Leemann
Béatrice
B
Service de Neurorééducation, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. beatrice.leemann@hcuge.ch
Laganaro
Marina
M
Chetelat-Mabillard
Daphné
D
Schnider
Armin
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000849:Anomia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001037:Aphasia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007807:Language Tests; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009275:Names; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D007980:Levodopa