Effectiveness Of Attention Training On Language Function Of Stroke Patients With Aphasia

Objective: To explore the effectiveness of attention training on language function of stroke patients with aphasia compared with conventional speech therapy in order to provide a theory basis for the application of attention training in stroke patients with aphasia.Methods: 40 cases of aphasia patients after stroke were recruited from department of rehabilitation center of the First Hospital of Jilin University during August 2014 to November 2015; The age was between 18 to 76 years old,onset time from 2 weeks to 12 months. All of the patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: experimental group and control group, each group 20 cases. Patients in experimental group received attention training(20 minutes each time, once a day, 6days/week, 5 weeks) while others in control group accepted conventional speech therapy(20 minutes each time, once a day, 6days/week, 5 weeks). All the aphasia patients were assessed their language function and attention level before and after therapy. The function of language was assessed with the parts of Western aphasia battery(WAB) and the items including spontaneous speech, auditory comprehension, retell and naming, then the aphasia quotient(AQ) was calculated according to those scores. At the same time,all the patients participated in the measurement of reaction time with the cognitive evaluation system before and after treatment.Results: After 5-week treatment the language function and attention level in two groups were improved compared to pretreatment, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01);Comparison of two groups after treatment, the improvements in language function and attention level were improved more obviously in experimental group, especially the increase of auditory comprehension and naming, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05), although the spontaneous speech and repetition were promoted obviously but there was no statistically significant(P>0.05)Conclusion: Conventional speech therapy can improve the language function of stroke patients with aphasia, if combined with attention training the effects would be better, especially in auditory comprehension and naming function improvedsignificantly.