Effects of tDCS and intensive behavioral therapy in a longevous individual with low education and subacute aphasia

TL;DR

This study shows that combining tDCS with intensive therapy can improve language skills in an elderly person with aphasia after a stroke.

Contribution

Demonstrates the effectiveness of tDCS combined with behavioral therapy in a longevous, low-educated individual with subacute aphasia.

Findings

Improvements were noted in word naming and verbal word comprehension after the intervention.

There was a reduction in linguistic errors such as paraphasias following treatment.

Results support the combination of tDCS and behavioral training for aphasia recovery.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of tDCS during intensive word-finding therapy on subacute aphasia after stroke. A single-case study with an 86-year-old man with four years of formal education, diagnosed with an ischemic stroke in the left hemisphere, resulting in non-fluent aphasia of the mixed type, accompanied by acquired apraxia of speech. For this purpose, the Montreal-Toulouse Language Assessment Battery - Brief Version was administered at five different time points: (A1) one week before the start of treatment; (A2) after the first session; (A3) after five sessions; (A4) after ten sessions and; (A5) after 30 days without intervention. The Naming and Visual Recognition Test was also administered at points A1, A4 and A5. After the intervention, improvements were noted in word naming and verbal word comprehension. There was a reduction in linguistic errors such as paraphasias. These results support the combination of tDCS and behavioral training.

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