Intensive language therapy can help people with chronic aphasia communicate better in their day-to-day lives.
What did the researchers aim to find out?
Is intensive language therapy better than usual care?
What type of research was done?
The study was a clinical trial.
Results of the research
Intensive language therapy was better than usual care for communication in day-to-day life, general language, and quality of life.
Why was the research done?
To provide people with aphasia with evidence-based intensive langugage therapy.
What does the research mean for me and others?
You can communicate better with words.
What research methods were used?
Randomised controlled clinical trial with a large sample of participants with chronic aphasia (156 people).
How to obtain the treatment detailed in the research?
Special hospitals and outpatient clinics offer intensive language therapy for aphasia. In Germany, the federal health insurances cover the treatment costs.
Background information on the research topic
Research into the brain supports the idea that intensive language training works.
Risks related to the research
You can get tired or frustrated.
Who was allowed to take part in the research?
Adults with a stroke and chronic aphasia. The age of the adults was between 18 and 70 years. All levels of severity of the aphasia were included. All aphasia types were included.
Information about the people who took part
Adults with a stroke and chronic aphasia.
Why was the research done this way?
The study was at the highest level of clinical trial.
When was the research done?
2012 to 2015.
Where was the research done?
In Germany (Department of Neurology, University of Muenster, and 19 study centers).
Where did the money come from?
German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).
Problems with the research
The improvements in communication are small in number.
Is the research trustworthy?
The study was published in the best medical journal in the world. It is of a very high standard.
Next steps
Is teletherapy as good as in-person therapy?
