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Long-Term Recovery From Chronic Global AphasiaA Case Report
1 Musik & Therapie, Duisburg, Germany Correspondence: Monika Jungblut, Musik & Therapie, Am Lipkamp 14 FRG 47269 Duisburg; e-mail: MSJungblut{at}t-online.de
In 2000, a 57-year-old man had a cerebral hemorrhage that resulted in spastic hemiparesis and global aphasia with agraphia and alexia. He received continuous speech therapy, with no significant improvement in speech performance. Three years after the event, a directed resource-orientated and music-supported training (SIPARI®) was initiated that had been developed especially to support speech rehabilitation for chronic nonfluent aphasia patients. The effects of this treatment on language capabilities were tested by independent and experienced investigators with the Aachener Aphasie Test (standardized procedure). Tests were carried out 20 months after onset of treatment in 2004, and in two follow-up studies in 2005 and 2008. After the first treatment period of 20 months, the patient showed clinically significant improvements in spontaneous speech as well as in the token test (a measure to evaluate severity of aphasia), repetition, and naming. The first follow-up study in 2005 as well as the last assessment in 2008 revealed further clinically significant improvements in speech performance. At the time of this writing, the patient is able to talk in everyday situations and to participate verbally in social life. The fact that he regained confidence and enjoyment in using speech has improved his own quality of life and that of his family and friends considerably.
Key Words: speech rehabilitation • chronic global aphasia • long-term rehabilitation • directed music-supported training (SIPARI®) • Aachener Aphasie Test • significant improvement
Music and Medicine, Vol. 1, No. 1,
61-69 (2009) This article has been cited by other articles:
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