Intensive Language Therapy for Nonfluent Aphasia With And Without Surgical Implantation of an Investigational Cortical Stimulation Device: Preliminary Language and Imaging Results

Cherney, Leora R. and Small, Steven L. (2007) Intensive Language Therapy for Nonfluent Aphasia With And Without Surgical Implantation of an Investigational Cortical Stimulation Device: Preliminary Language and Imaging Results. [Clinical Aphasiology Paper]

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Abstract

This randomized clinical trial evaluated the feasibility of targeted epidural cortical stimulation delivered concurrently with speech-language therapy (SLT) in four subjects with chronic Broca’s aphasia. Four matched controls received identical SLT without stimulation. Investigational subjects showed a mean WAB-AQ change of 8.0 points immediately post-therapy and at 6-week follow-up, and 12.3 points at 12-week follow-up. The control group’s mean WAB-AQ change was 4.6, 5.5, and 3.6 points, respectively. Similar patterns of change were noted on the Communicative Effectiveness Index. fMRI changes suggested differential reorganization. Cortical stimulation in combination with intensive SLT may enhance language rehabilitation for chronic Broca’s aphasia.

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