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Post-stroke aphasia at the time of COVID-19 pandemic: a telerehabilitation perspective

Authors :
Laura Cassarino
Franca Santoro
Donatella Gelardi
Simonetta Panerai
Maurizio Papotto
Mariangela Tripodi
Filomena Irene Ilaria Cosentino
Vincenzo Neri
Raffaele Ferri
Salvatore Ferlito
Daniela Modica
Francesco Fisicaro
Manuela Pennisi
Rita Bella
Giuseppe Lanza
Source :
Journal of Integrative Neuroscience, Vol 21, Iss 1, p 008 (2022)
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
IMR Press, 2022.

Abstract

We report on our remote speech therapy experience in post-stroke aphasia. The aim was to test the feasibility and utility of telerehabilitation to support future randomized controlled trials. Post-stroke aphasia is a common and disabling speech disorder, which significantly affects patients’ and caregivers’ health and quality of life. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, most of the conventional speech therapy approaches had to stop or “switch” into telerehabilitation procedures to ensure the safety of patients and operators but, concomitantly, the best rehabilitation level possible. Here, we planned a 5-month telespeech therapy programme, twice per week, of a patient with non-fluent aphasia following an intracerebral haemorrhage. Overall, treatment adherence based on the operator’s assessments was high, and incomplete adherence for technical problems occurred very rarely. In line with the patient’s feedback, acceptability was also positive, since he was constantly motivated during the sessions and the exercises performed autonomously, as confirmed by the speech therapist and caregiver, respectively. Moreover, despite the sequelae from the cerebrovascular event, evident in some writing tests due to the motor deficits in his right arm and the disadvantages typical of all telepractices, more relevant results were achieved during the telerehabilitation period compared to those of the “face-to-face” therapy before the COVID-19 outbreak. The telespeech therapy performed can be considered successful and the patient was able to return to work. Concluding, we support it as a feasible approach offering patients and their families the opportunity to continue the speech and language rehabilitation pathway, even at the time of pandemic.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
02196352
Volume :
21
Issue :
1
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Journal of Integrative Neuroscience
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.4c51d625cd804a6393fce4c0654c62b3
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.31083/j.jin2101008/1757-448X-21-1-008.pdf