Central auditory processing and aphasia: A scoping review / Processamento auditivo central e afasia: uma revisão de escopo

ABSTRACT Purpose: to report scientific evidence on the impact of aphasia on central auditory processing and map the contribution of auditory training to aphasic individuals. Methods: a scoping review approaching national and international databases (SciELO, LILACS, PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library) and the gray literature (Google Scholar and Open Grey). The inclusion criteria covered articles that addressed the interface between central auditory processing and aphasia, excluding duplicates, literature reviews, and scientific abstracts. Literature Review: the review comprised 13 articles that met the eligibility criteria for this study. Seven of the selected articles assessed central auditory processing, four used electrophysiological examinations (such as auditory brainstem response and long-latency auditory evoked potentials) to assess the auditory pathway, and only one analyzed the intervention in aphasic individuals with auditory training. Conclusion: scientific evidence points to an important change in aphasic people's central auditory processing, with impaired figure-ground, auditory closure, temporal resolution and ordering, and binaural integration. Moreover, it is relevant to assess auditory processing, given the contribution of auditory training in speech-language-hearing therapy for a better prognosis in the rehabilitation of aphasia.

RESUMO Objetivo: reportar as evidências científicas do impacto da afasia no Processamento Auditivo Central e mapear a contribuição do Treinamento Auditivo para a população afásica. Métodos: trata-se de uma revisão de escopo realizada nas bases de dados nacionais e internacionais: Scielo, Lilacs, Pubmed, Scopus, Cochrane Library e com uma busca adicional à literatura cinzenta no Google Scholar e Open Grey. Os critérios de inclusão abrangeram artigos que abordassem a interface do processamento auditivo central e afasia, excluindo-se as duplicações, artigos de revisão da literatura e resumos científicos. Revisão de Literatura: selecionaram-se 13 artigos que cumpriram os critérios de elegibilidade deste estudo. Dos artigos selecionados, sete apresentaram a avaliação do Processamento Auditivo Central, quatro apresentaram os exames eletrofisiológicos - como os exames de Potencial Evocado Auditivo de Tronco Encefálico (PEATE) e Potencial Evocado Auditivo de Longa Latência (PEALL) - para avaliação da via auditiva e apenas um estudo analisou a intervenção dos indivíduos afásicos por meio do treinamento auditivo. Conclusão: as evidências científicas apontam importante alteração no Processamento Auditivo Central dos afásicos, apresentando prejuízos nas habilidades auditivas de figura-fundo, fechamento auditivo, resolução e ordenação temporal e integração binaural. Ainda, demonstra-se como relevante a avaliação do processamento, devido à contribuição do Treinamento Auditivo nas terapias fonoaudiológicas para um melhor prognóstico na reabilitação das afasias.

Neurolinguistics evidence of oral discourse in schizophrenic patients. Comparative analysis with Wernicke's aphasia

Introduction: In schizophrenia, the presence of a digressive oral discourse is very frequent, plenty of paraphasias and neologisms, provoked by the alterations of thought, which is common in thisillness. This form of empty oral discourse, full of paraphasias and neologisms, is one of the characteristic clinical manifestations of Wernicke's aphasia; with the difference that, in thesepatients, the symptomatology is linguistic, not secondary to alterations of thought. What cognitive mechanisms lead to similar verbal behaviors in both groups of patients? Objective: The purpose of this research was to obtain empirical evidence about cognitive mechanisms that underlie the alterations of verbal communication in both types of patients, from the comparative analysis of their execution in neurocognitive and neurolinguistic tests. Method: The study was implemented in a population of 70 patients organized into two groups: 35 aphasics and 35 schizophrenics. Both groups were subjected to the tests of Semantic Matching of Images, Identification of Homonymous Images and Oral Denomination of Images and Comics. Data processing involved descriptive statistics and Student's t-test for comparative analysis between groups. Results: Indicate that there are no significant differences between groups in semantic processing. In the formation of lexical concepts, schizophrenics show worse performance; while aphasics perform worse on neurolinguistic examination tests. Conclusions: Empirical evidence shows that the oral discourse of both groups of patients is markedly digressive and empty, with paraphasias and neologisms, but linguistically different.

Introducción: En la esquizofrenia es muy frecuente la presencia de un discurso oral digresivo, lleno de parafasias y neologismos, provocado por las alteraciones del pensamiento común en esta enfermedad.Esta forma de discurso oral vacío, lleno de parafasias y neologismos, es una de las manifestaciones clínicas características de la afasia de Wernicke,con la diferencia de que en estos pacientes la sintomatología es lingüística, no secundaria a alteraciones del pensamiento.¿Qué mecanismos cognitivos conducen a conductas verbales similares en ambos grupos de pacientes? Objetivo: Obtener evidencia empírica sobre los mecanismos cognitivos que subyacen a las alteraciones de la comunicación verbal en ambos tipos de pacientes, a partir del análisis comparativo de su ejecución en pruebas neurocognitivas y neurolingüísticas. Método: El estudio se implementó en una población de 70 pacientes organizados en dos grupos: 35 afásicos y 35 esquizofrénicos.Ambos grupos fueron sometidos a las pruebas de Coincidencia Semántica de Imágenes, Identificación de Imágenes Homónimas y Denominación Oral de Imágenes y Cómics.El procesamiento de datos involucró estadística descriptiva y prueba t de Student para análisis comparativo entre grupos. Resultados: Indican que no existen diferencias significativas entre grupos en el procesamiento semántico.En la formación de conceptos léxicos, los esquizofrénicos muestran peor desempeño;mientras que los afásicos obtienen peores resultados en las pruebas de examen neurolingüístico. Conclusiones: La evidencia empírica muestra que el discurso oral de ambos grupos de pacientes es marcadamente digresivo y vacío, con parafasias y neologismos, pero lingüísticamente diferentes.

Introdução: Na esquizofrenia é muito frequente a presença de um discurso oral digressivo, repleto de parafasias e neologismos, provocados pelas alterações de pensamento comuns nesta doença.Essa forma de discurso oral vazio, repleto de parafasias e neologismos, é uma das manifestações clínicas características da afasia de Wernicke,com a diferença de que, nesses pacientes, a sintomatologia é linguística e não secundária a alterações do pensamento.Que mecanismos cognitivos levam a comportamentos verbais semelhantes em ambos os grupos de pacientes? Objetivos: Obter evidências empíricas sobre os mecanismos cognitivos subjacentes às alterações da comunicação verbal em ambos os tipos de pacientes, a partir da análise comparativa da sua execução em testes neurocognitivos e neurolinguísticos. Métodos: O estudo foi implementado numa população de 70 pacientes organizados em dois grupos: 35 afásicos e 35 esquizofrênicos.Ambos os grupos foram submetidos aos testes de Emparelhamento Semântico de Imagens, Identificação de Imagens Homônimas e Denominação Oral de Imagens e Quadrinhos.O processamento dos dados envolveu estatística descritiva e teste t de Student para análise comparativa entre grupos. Resultados: Indicam que não há diferenças significativas entre os grupos no processamento semântico.Na formação de conceitos lexicais, os esquizofrênicos apresentam pior desempenho;enquanto os afásicos apresentam pior desempenho nos testes de exame neurolinguístico.Conclusões:a evidência empírica mostra que o discurso oral de ambos os grupos de pacientes é marcadamente digressivo e vazio, com parafasias e neologismos, mas linguisticamente diferente.

Conhecimento dos profissionais da saúde de um hospital público em relação à afasia / Knowledge on aphasia held by health professionals of a public hospital / Conocimiento de los profesionales sanitarios de un hospital público sobre la afasia

Introdução: A compreensão da afasia é fundamental para os profissionais de saúde que prestam assistência a pacientes com AVC. No entanto, a informação disponível sobre a afasia ainda é limitada e insuficiente para uma abordagem eficaz. É de suma importância identificar o conhecimento dos profissionais de saúde a respeito da afasia, a fim de planejar o atendimento aos pacientes e suas famílias.Objetivo: Avaliar o nível de conhecimento dos profissionais de saúde de um hospital público em relação à afasia e analisar como eles lidam com pacientes com afasia durante o período de hospitalização. Método: Realizamos uma pesquisa com profissionais de saúde por meio de um questionário online para avaliar seu conhecimento sobre a afasia e suas estratégias de atendimento. Resultados: Os resultados indicam que profissionais de saúde com níveis de educação mais elevados tendem a possuir um entendimento mais sólido da afasia. No entanto, persistem lacunas de conhecimento em diversos aspectos da afasia. Embora a maioria dos profissionais se sinta adequadamente preparado para lidar com pacientes com afasia, eles reconhecem os desafios envolvidos e expressam o desejo de receber orientações para aprimorar suas habilidades de comunicação. Conclusão: Este estudo ressalta a necessidade de uma formação mais abrangente para os profissionais de saúde no que diz respeito à afasia e suas estratégias de comunicação. É fundamental o desenvolvimento de programas de treinamento e a elaboração de diretrizes específicas para os profissionais que atuam com esses pacientes, visando proporcionar um atendimento de alta qualidade. (AU)

Introduction: Understanding aphasia is crucial for healthcare professionals providing care to stroke patients. However, there is a need to enhance and refine the information available about aphasia for practical application. It is imperative to assess the knowledge of healthcare professionals regarding aphasia to facilitate effective care planning for patients and their families. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the level of knowledge among healthcare professionals in a public hospital concerning aphasia and their approach to patients with aphasia during their hospitalization. Method: An online questionnaire was administered to healthcare professionals to assess their understanding of aphasia and their caregiving strategies. Results: The findings indicate that healthcare professionals with higher education levels tend to have a better understanding of aphasia. Nevertheless, knowledge gaps persist in various aspects of aphasia. While most professionals feel adequately prepared to interact with patients experiencing aphasia, they acknowledge the challenges involved and express a desire for guidance to enhance their communication skills. Conclusion: This study underscores the necessity for comprehensive training of healthcare professionals in the realm of aphasia and effective communication strategies. The development of training programs and guidelines is crucial to better serve patients with aphasia, ensuring the provision of high-quality care. (AU)

Introducción: La comprensión de la afasia es importante para los profesionales de la salud que atienden a pacientes con ACV. Sin embargo, la información sobre la afasia sigue siendo limitada e insuficiente para un enfoque efectivo. Es importante identificar el conocimiento de los profesionales de la salud sobre la afasia para planificar la atención a los pacientes y sus familias. Objetivo: Evaluar el conocimiento de los profesionales de la salud de un hospital público sobre la afasia y cómo manejan a los pacientes con afasia durante el período de hospitalización. Método: Se realizó una encuesta a profesionales de la salud a través de un cuestionario en línea para evaluar su conocimiento sobre la afasia y sus tácticas de atención. Resultados: Se señala un mayor conocimiento sobre la afasia entre los profesionales de nivel superior, pero aún existen lagunas de conocimiento en varios aspectos de la afasia. La mayoría de los profesionales se sienten preparados para manejar a pacientes con afasia, pero reconocen que la atención es desafiante y les gustaría recibir orientación para mejorar sus habilidades de comunicación. Conclusión:Este estudio destaca la necesidad de una formación más amplia y completa para los profesionales de la salud sobre la afasia y su comunicación. Es fundamental desarrollar programas de capacitación y guías para atender mejor a estos pacientes y garantizar una atención de calidad. (AU)

Afasia primaria progresiva variante no fluente/agramática / Non-fluent/agrammatic variant of primary progressive aphasia

Introducción: Entre las enfermedades neurodegenerativas se encuentra un grupo de patologías que se caracterizan por un compromiso prominente del lenguaje, denominadas usualmente afasias primarias progresivas, las cuales se subdividen en 3 tipos: variante logopénica, variante semántica y variante no fluente o agramática. Presentación del caso: Paciente con cuadro clínico que inicia a los 65 años, con disminución en la interacción social. Un par de meses después, la esposa nota que el lenguaje del paciente se torna poco fluido, habla con palabras o frases cortas, no logra decir oraciones completas, además de presentar cambios en la entonación de las palabras y alteraciones del lenguaje escrito. El paciente manifiesta que su principal limitación en el momento es el no poder expresar lo que quiere decir, y por este motivo consulta. Discusión: En el caso de este paciente, se describe inicialmente un cambio en su personalidad que no compromete su funcionalidad, sin embargo, al poco tiempo se presenta compromiso del lenguaje como síntoma prominente y que genera mayor compromiso en su calidad de vida, con pruebas neuropsicológicas y hallazgos de neuroimagen que apoyan el diagnóstico de afasia primaria progresiva (APP) variante no fluente o agramatical, con síntomas comportamentales y motores asociados. Conclusión: Las APP son un grupo de trastornos neurocognitivos cuya característica primordial es el compromiso en el lenguaje, cada variante de APP tiene unas características clínicas y criterios diagnósticos específicos que se deben conocer para lograr sospechar el diagnóstico y hacer un abordaje apropiado en el paciente.

Introduction: In the group of neurodegenerative diseases, there is a group of pathologies that are characterized by a prominent compromise of language, normally called primary progressive aphasias, these are subdivided into 3 types: logopenic variant, semantic variant and non-fluent or agrammatic variant. Case presentation: Patient with a clinical picture that begins at age 65, with decreased social interaction, a couple of months later his wife notices that his language becomes not fluent, speaks in short words or phrases, cannot say complete sentences, in addition to changes in the intonation of words and alterations in written language, the patient states that his main limitation at the moment is not being able to express what he wants to say and for this reason they consult. Discussion: In the case of this patient, a change in his personality is initially described that does not compromise his functionality, however soon after a language involvement is presented as the main symptom and the one that generates a compromise in his quality of life, with neuropsychological tests and findings on neuroimaging that supports the diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia (PPA) non-fluent or agrammatical variant, with associated behavioral and motor symptoms. Conclusion: APPs are a group of neurocognitive disorders whose primary characteristic is language impairment. Each APP variant has specific clinical characteristics and diagnostic criteria that must be known in order to suspect the diagnosis and make an appropriate approach to the patient.

Application of transcranial direct current stimulation in patients with aphasia after stroke / 国际脑血管病杂志

Post-stroke aphasia (PSA) is a common speech disorder after stroke, involving at least 1/3 of stroke patients, and causing serious adverse effects on their lives and work. The available intervention measures include speech and language rehabilitation therapy, drug therapy, and non-invasive brain stimulation technology. The latter mainly includes transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). tDCS can have a positive impact on PSA by promoting its self-repair, regulating the level of neurotransmitters, and inhibiting inflammation. This article reviews the effect of tDCS on the self-recovery mechanism of PSA and its treatment.

Kaiqiao Jieyin acupuncture combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for post-stroke aphasia: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of Kaiqiao Jieyin acupuncture (acupuncture for opening orifices and relieving aphasia) combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on language ability and daily life communication ability in patients with post-stroke aphasia (PSA).@*METHODS@#Fifty-six patients with PSA were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 28 cases in each group. Both groups received routine symptomatic treatment. The control group was treated with speech rehabilitation training and rTMS. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, the observation group was treated with Kaiqiao Jieyin acupuncture at the speech area Ⅰ, Fengchi (GB 20), Tongli (HT 5), Lianquan (CV 23), Panglianquan (Extra), etc. Panglianquan (Extra) on both sides were connected to electroacupuncture, with intermittent wave, 2 Hz in frequency. The above treatment was performed once a day for 5 consecutive days, followed by 2 days of rest for 2 weeks. The scores of western aphasia battery (WAB, including scores of spontaneous speech, auditory comprehension, repetition, naming and score of aphasia quotient [AQ]) and communication abilities in daily living (CADL) in the two groups were compared before and after treatment.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the spontaneous speech, auditory comprehension, repetition, naming scores and AQ scores in both groups were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05), and the increase in the observation group was greater than the control group (P<0.05). The CADL scores of the two groups were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Kaiqiao Jieyin acupuncture combined with rTMS can improve the language ability and daily life communication ability of PSA patients.

Evolución de la afasia en adolescentes con secuela de ACV: serie de casos / Post-stroke aphasia in adolescents' progress: case series

La afasia como secuela de un accidente cerebrovascular es un trastorno del lenguaje poco estudiado en adolescentes, tanto en Latinoamérica como a nivel mundial. Independientemente del hecho de que un número significativo de afasias mejora espontáneamente, la necesidad del inicio oportuno del tratamiento es imprescindible. En esta serie de casos se describe la presentación clínica y evolución de la afasia en 3 adolescentes con secuelas de accidente cerebrovascular que ingresaron a un instituto de neurorehabilitación. Fueron dos mujeres y un varón, de entre 15 y 17 años, que recibieron rehabilitación integral intensiva desde las áreas de fisioterapia, terapia ocupacional, neuropsicología, psicopedagogía, musicoterapia y fonoaudiología. Fueron evaluados con la versión chilena de la herramienta Western Aphasia Battery (WAB). A los 3 meses todos mejoraron y evolucionaron a un tipo de afasia más leve. Este estudio expone la importancia del tratamiento precoz e intensivo en esta población de adolescentes en plena etapa de construcción social como personas, en donde la alteración del lenguaje impacta en sus vínculos, grupo de pertenencia, estado anímico y a nivel académico. Se considera fundamental la evaluación y seguimiento sistemático con el objetivo de identificar los cambios y avances alcanzados durante la rehabilitación.

Aphasia as a sequela of stroke is an understudied language disorder in adolescents, both in Latin America and worldwide. Although a significant number of aphasia cases improve spontaneously, it is necessary to initiate treatment as soon as possible. This cases series describes the clinical presentation and evolution of aphasia in 3 adolescents with stroke sequelae who were admitted to a neurorehabilitation facility. Two females and one male, aged between 15 and 17 years, received intensive comprehensive rehabilitation from the areas of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, neuropsychology, psychopedagogy, music therapy and speech therapy. They were evaluated with the Chilean version of the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB). After 3 months, all of them improved and evolved to a milder type of aphasia. This study shows the importance of early, intensive treatment in adolescents who are in the height of their social development, where language alteration impacts on their bonds, their groups of belonging, their mood and their academic process. Systematicassessment and follow-up are considered essential to identify the changes and progress achieved during rehabilitation.

Afasias e construção de sentido: estudo com foco em história em quadrinhos / Aphasia and construction of meaning: study focused on comic strips

RESUMO Objetivo observar, na linguagem em afasia de sujeitos adultos, a constituição de sentidos, considerando a (re)organização enunciativa na leitura e na escrita. Métodos pesquisa qualitativa com método aplicado e exploratório e perspectiva de análise enunciativa sobre a linguagem, tendo as noções de forma e sentido como base analítica. Foi realizada uma atividade com três sujeitos com afasia (Bir, Cr e Aul), integrantes do Grupo Interdisciplinar de Convivência (GIC), formado por participantes com e sem afasia. Tal atividade consistiu em (re)organizar quadrinhos de uma história, visando constituir sentido, uma vez que a leitura/escrita de textos são habilidades comumente comprometidas nas afasias. Resultados a categoria de tempo crônico mostra-se fundante para elaboração das narrativas dos sujeitos com afasia. Entretanto, eles encontraram formas distintas de sustentação de sentidos, mas sempre atrelados a experiências provenientes da relação entre homem e mundo. Conclusão as narrativas foram organizadas/construídas pelos participantes, tendo por base as imagens (base formal) - uma vez comprometida a habilidade de leitura de textos verbais. Bir, Cr e Aul usaram o tempo crônico como eixo organizacional de suas narrativas e suas histórias em quadrinhos, demonstrando que promovem leitura e escrita ao se considerar o viés enunciativo de análise da linguagem.

ABSTRACT Purpose to observe , in the language of aphasic adult subjects, the constitution of meanings, considering the enunciative (re)organization in reading and writing. Methods qualitative research with applied and exploratory methods and a perspective of enunciative analysis on language, using the notions of form and meaning as analytical base. From an activity performed by three subjects with aphasia (Bir, Cr and Aul), members of the Interdisciplinary Coexistence Group (GIC), formed by participants with and without aphasia, which constituted of (re)organizing the panels (frames) of a comic strip, in order to constitute meaning - since the reading/writing of texts are skills that are commonly affected in aphasia. Results the chronic time category shows itself to be fundamental for the elaboration of the narratives of the subjects with aphasia, however they found different ways of sustaining meanings, but always linked to experiences arising from the relationship between man and world. Conclusion the narratives were organized/constructed by the participants, having the images as a base (formal base) - since the ability to read verbal texts is impaired. Bir, Cr and Aul used chronic time as an organizational axis of their narratives and their comic strips show that these subjects with aphasia promote reading and writing when considering enunciative bias of language analysis.

Do ouvido ao narrado: interlocução terapeuta-sujeito com afasia em atividade com história em quadrinhos / From heard to narrated: therapist-subject with aphasia interlocution in an activity with comic books

RESUMO Objetivo Analisar a interlocução terapeuta-sujeito com afasia no processo de interpretação e organização de história em quadrinhos. Métodos Estudo transversal, de natureza qualitativa. Os dados coletados foram de situações enunciativas audiogravadas e apresentadas descritivamente por quadros de interlocução (A1-T1) e (A2-T2), registrando atividade com Histórias em Quadrinhos (HQ), realizada em encontro do Grupo Interdisciplinar de Convivência da instituição, do qual participaram sujeitos com e sem afasia. Analisou-se a interlocução entre duas terapeutas em formação (T1 e T2) e dois sujeitos com afasia (A1 e A2). Resultados As interlocuções entre A1-T1 e A2-T2, ocorridas durante o processo de organização das HQ, evidenciaram posicionamentos diferentes das terapeutas, no que tange ao ouvido e ao narrado. A1 foi reconhecida por T1 como sujeito de linguagem, à medida que a terapeuta promoveu a disjunção, ou seja, encaminhou A1 à condição de locutor; o mesmo fato não ocorreu com A2 e T2, pois o primeiro não foi reconhecido como sujeito de linguagem, já que T2 manteve-se em conjunção, não conferindo lugar de fala a A2. Conclusão A enunciação benvenistiana configura-se como recurso teórico-metodológico para análise e intervenção clínica junto a sujeitos com afasia. O contexto de convivência grupal impõe-se como lócus de cuidado e formativo para as diferentes áreas de atenção às pessoas com afasia, articulando, interdisciplinarmente, aspectos da enunciação à prática terapêutica.

ABSTRACT Purpose To analyze the therapist-subject with aphasia interlocution in the process of interpretation and organization of comics. Methods Cross-sectional study of a qualitative nature. The data are from audio-recorded enunciative situations and presented descriptively by interlocution charts (A1-T1) and (A2-T2), registering activity with Comics, held at a meeting of the Interdisciplinary Group of Coexistence (GIC) in which subjects with and without aphasia participate. The interlocution between two therapists in training (T1 and T2) and two subjects with aphasia (A1 and A2) is analyzed. Results: The interlocutions between A1-T1 and A2-T2, which occurred during the process of organization of the comic, show different positions of the therapists regarding the ear and the narrated. A1 is recognized by T1 as a subject of language as the therapist promotes disjunction, that is, it directs A1 to the condition of speaker; the same does not occur with A2 and T2, because the former is not recognized as a subject of language, since T2 remains in conjunction, not giving A2 speaking space. Conclusion Benvenistian enunciation is configured as a theoretical and methodological resource for analysis and clinical intervention with subjects with aphasia; the context of group coexistence imposes itself as a locus of care and training for the different areas of attention to people with aphasia, articulating, interdisciplinary, aspects of enunciation to therapeutic practice.

Who are the speech and language therapists who work with primary progressive aphasia in Brazil? An exploratory cross-sectional survey study / Quem são os fonoaudiólogos que trabalham com afasia progressiva primária no Brasil? Um estudo de inquérito transversal exploratório

ABSTRACT Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) is a progressive language disorder associated with frontotemporal impairment and mainly affects the left hemisphere of the brain. In general, this condition compromises abilities related to comprehension and expression of language. The diagnosis of PPA depends on in-depth knowledge regarding functions of language, neurology, and neuropsychology. Speech and language therapists (SLTs) have a pivotal role in the diagnosis and rehabilitation of PPA. The absence of these professionals involved in the diagnosis and rehabilitation may reflect on the quality of care of people with PPA. Objective: To identify the sociodemographic, educational, and professional practice characteristics of SLTs who work with people with PPA in Brazil. Methods: An online questionnaire was disseminated to reach SLTs across Brazil. The questionnaire collected information regarding sociodemographics, training and education, practice (time, setting, service provision), and sources of referral. Results: The study included 71 participants (95.8% women). Specialization was the most frequent educational level followed by master's degree, and participants where mainly from the Southeast and South regions of Brazil. Neurologists were the professionals who most referred patients with PPA to SLTs. Finally, SLTs worked primarily in homecare settings and provided mainly individual therapy services. Conclusion: SLTs who work with PPA in Brazil can be characterized mainly as professionals with postgraduate degrees, relatively young, and from the South and Southeast regions of Brazil.

RESUMO A afasia progressiva primária (APP) é um distúrbio progressivo da linguagem associado à atrofia de regiões frontotemporais predominantemente do hemisfério esquerdo do cérebro. De modo geral, a APP afeta as capacidades compreensivas e expressivas da linguagem. O diagnóstico depende de profissionais com profundo conhecimento das funções da linguagem, neurologia e neuropsicologia. A fonoaudiologia tem papel essencial no diagnóstico e reabilitação da APP, e a ausência de fonoaudiólogos nesses processos pode refletir na qualidade do cuidado das pessoas com APP. Objetivo: Identificar as características sociodemográficas, educacionais e de atuação profissional de fonoaudiólogos que atuam com APP no Brasil. Métodos: Foi distribuído um questionário em formato online para fonoaudiólogos de todo o Brasil. O questionário coletou informações sobre aspectos sociodemográficos, de formação, atuação profissional (tempo, local de atuação, tipo de serviço oferecido) e fontes de encaminhamento. Resultados: O estudo incluiu 71 participantes (95,8% mulheres). O nível educacional mais frequente foi a especialização, e as regiões demográficas com maior incidência de profissionais que atendiam APP foram as Regiões Sudeste e Sul do país. Os neurologistas foram os profissionais que mais encaminhavam pacientes com APP para os fonoaudiólogos. Por fim, os fonoaudiólogos atuavam, principalmente, em homecare e realizando, em sua maioria, terapia individual. Conclusão: Os fonoaudiólogos que atuam com APP no Brasil podem ser caracterizados principalmente como profissionais pós-graduados, relativamente jovens e das Regiões Sul e Sudeste do Brasil.

Crossed aphasia in a left-handed patient with non-fluent variant of primary progressive aphasia with left asymmetric brain SPECT / Afasia cruzada em paciente canhota com afasia progressiva primária variante não fluente com SPECT cerebral assimétrico à esquerda

ABSTRACT Primary progressive aphasia is a clinical syndrome caused by neurodegeneration of areas and neural networks involved in language, usually in the left hemisphere. The term "crossed aphasia" denotes an acquired language dysfunction caused by a lesion in the ipsilateral hemisphere to the dominant hand. Objective: To describe a case of crossed aphasia in a 60-year-old left-handed patient with a non-fluent variant of primary progressive aphasia diagnosis (age of onset=52), evidenced by a left asymmetry on brain SPECT scan. Methods: Clinical and family history, the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory, Measurement of Functional Activities in Older Adults in the Community, the "Mini-Mental State Examination", the Trail Making Test, the Tower of London, and the Neuropsychological assessment for dementia, and neuroimaging studies were carried out. Results: Neuropsychological assessment showed severe cognitive impairment, especially regarding language. The magnetic resonance imaging showed important signs of cortico-subcortical atrophy, with predominance in the frontal and temporal lobes. The single-photon emission computed tomography scan showed moderate to severe hypoperfusion in the left cerebral hemisphere, including the hippocampus. Conclusion: We described a clinical case of crossed aphasia in a left-handed woman with a non-fluent variant of primary progressive aphasia with asymmetry on brain SPECT, mainly on the left, followed up for seven years.

RESUMO A afasia progressiva primária é uma síndrome clínica causada por uma neurodegeneração de áreas e redes neurais envolvidas na linguagem, geralmente no hemisfério esquerdo. O termo "afasia cruzada" denota uma disfunção adquirida de linguagem causada por uma lesão no hemisfério ipsilateral da mão dominante. Objetivo: Relatamos um caso de afasia cruzada em uma paciente de 60 anos, canhota, com um quadro clínico de afasia progressiva primária variante não fluente (idade de início=52), evidenciada por assimetria no SPECT cerebral à esquerda. Métodos: Foram realizados para o diagnóstico do caso: história clínica e familiar, o Inventário de Dominância de Edinburgh, a Escala de Atividades Funcionais de Pfeffer, o Miniexame do Estado Mental, o Teste das Trilhas, o Teste da Torre de Londres, a Avaliação Neuropsicológica Adequada às Demências e exames de neuroimagem. Resultados: A avaliação neuropsicológica mostrou comprometimento cognitivo severo, principalmente sobre a linguagem; a ressonância magnética do crânio mostrou sinais de involução córtico-subcortical, com predominância nos lobos frontal e temporal e a cintilografia cerebral por emissão de fóton único mostrou hipoperfusão moderada a severa no hemisfério cerebral esquerdo, incluindo o hipocampo. Conclusão: Registramos um caso clínico de afasia cruzada em uma paciente canhota com afasia progressiva primária variante não fluente com assimetria no SPECT cerebral, principalmente à esquerda, seguida há sete anos.

The rules of acupoint selection of acupuncture and moxibustion for aphasia based on data mining / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the rules of acupoint selection for aphasia treated with acupuncture and moxibustion using data mining technology.@*METHODS@#From January 1, 2000 to April 1, 2022, the articles for clinical researches of acupuncture and moxibustion for aphasia published in CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, EMbase were searched. Using Microsoft Excel 2021, the database was set up to analyze the use frequency of acupoint, meridian tropism, acupoint distribution and the use of specific points. SPSS26.0 was adopted for factor analysis, SPSS Modeler 18.0 was for association rule analysis of prescriptions, and Gephi 0.9.5 was to plot the co-occurrence network diagrams of acupoints and meridians.@*RESULTS@#A total of 140 articles were collated, including 146 acupuncture and moxibustion prescriptions and 189 acupoints. The total use frequency of these acupoints was 1 211. Lianquan (CV 23), Jinjin (EX-HN 12), Yuye (EX-HN 13), Baihui (GV 20) and Yamen (GV 15) were the top 5 acupoints of the high use frequency for aphasia treated with acupuncture and moxibustion. Among 189 acupoints collected, the extra points and empirical points were mostly selected. The top 3 involved meridians were the governor vessel, the gallbladder meridian of foot-shaoyang and the conception vessel. These acupoints were mostly distributed on the head, face and neck region. The use frequency of five-shu points was the highest among the specific points. The acupoint combinations of high frequency referred to Yuye (EX-HN 13)-Jinjin (EX-HN 12), Yuye (EX-HN 13)-Lianquan (CV 23)-Jinjin (EX-HN 12), and Fengchi (GB 20)-Yuye (EX-HN 13)-Jinjin (EX-HN 12). Factor analysis extracted 10 common factors for acupoint compatibility in treatment of aphasia with acupuncture and moxibustion.@*CONCLUSION@#In clinical treatment of aphasia with acupuncture and moxibustion, the local acupoints are preferred. The core acupoints include Lianquan (CV 23), Jinjin (EX-HN 12), Yuye (EX-HN 13), Baihui (GV 20) and Yamen (GV 15). The acupoint prescription is modified flexibly according to syndrome differentiation to enhance the therapeutic effect.

Verbal and nonverbal cognitive function of aphasia after stroke based on Web of Science database: a visualized analysis / 中国康复理论与实践

ObjectiveTo visualize the research trends of verbal and nonverbal cognitive functions in patients with post-stroke aphasia (PSA). MethodsPapers about verbal and nonverbal cognitive functions after stroke were extracted from Web of Science Core Collection from establishment to August, 2022, and a bibliometric analysis was conducted on the distribution of articles published by year, author, journal, institution, and country. Author cooperation, author co-citation, journal co-citation, country/institution cooperation, dynamic evolution, keyword hotspots, and trends were visually analyzed by using VOSviewer software. ResultsA total of 1 630 publications were identified for final analysis. The first article related to the topic was retrieved in 2004. After that, the number of published papers showed an increasing trend year by year, with some fluctuations after 2019. Matthew A. Lambon Ralph and Elizabeth Jefferies were the authors who produced the most, were cited the most, and were the most influential. Neuropsychologia was a highly productive and well-cited publication. The University of Manchester in the United Kingdom and Johns Hopkins University in the United States were the nations/institutions with high yield and high centrality. Although China had a high yield and was in the top five, the centrality was insufficient. The dynamic emergence of keywords revealed that the research had gone through the following stages: evaluating the mechanism of language and nonverbal cognitive function impairment based on neuroimage, exploring the role of nonverbal cognitive dysfunction in pathology and recovery mechanisms of patients with PSA, examining the therapeutic mechanism of non-invasive brain stimulation and electronic tele-rehabilitation equipment, and revealing not only the frontal and temporal areas but also brain network supporting nonverbal cognition. ConclusionIn recent years, some achievements have been made in the researches on verbal and nonverbal cognitive function, particularly in the studies of the neuroimaging-based mechanisms of common damage and the intervention effects of synergistic therapy. In the future, academic cooperation between different regions and different teams needs to be strengthened. Further exploration should be focused on refining the cognitive neuropsychology and exploring new technologies to improve the therapeutic effect of PSA.

Effect of intermittent theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation on non-fluent aphasia after stroke / 中国康复理论与实践

ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of intermittent theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (iTBS) on non-fluent aphasia after stroke. MethodsFrom August, 2021 to August, 2022, 50 patients with non-fluent aphasia after stroke in the First People's Hospital of Lianyungang were randomly divided into sham stimulation group (n = 25) and iTBS group (n = 25). Both groups accepted speach training. iTBS group accepted iTBS, and the sham stimulation group received sham iTBS, for four weeks. The serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was measured, and they were assessed by China Rehabilitation Research Center Standard Aphasia Examination (CRRCAE) and Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination before and after treatment. ResultsTwo cases in the sham stimulation group and three cases in iTBS group dropped down. The BDNF level, and listen and understand, repeat, name, read aloud, and total score of CRRCAE improved in two groups after treatment (|t| > 5.012, P < 0.001); and they were better in iTBS group than in the sham stimulation group (|t| > 3.968, P < 0.001). The total effective rate was more in iTBS group than in the sham stimulation group (χ2 = 8.835, P < 0.05). ConclusioniTBS can improve speech function in patients with non-fluent aphasia after stroke, which may associate with the promotion of BDNF.

Variability in the functional connectivity of the bilateral inferior frontal gyrus with the whole brain in persons with Broca′s aphasia / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective:To observe the temporal variability of functional connectivity between the bilateral inferior frontal gyrus and rest of the brain in persons with Broca′s aphasia (BA) and to compare the connectivity between Uygur and Chinese aphasics.Methods:Thirty Chinese and Uygur BA patients (the patient group) and 30 healthy people speaking Uygur and Chinese (the healthy group) were included. rs-fMRI images were acquired, and the patient group was divided then into a Uygur language patient group (9 cases) and a Chinese language patient group (12 cases). The healthy group was divided into a Uygur language healthy group (13 cases) and a Chinese language healthy group (15 cases). Dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) calculations were performed, and a two-factor analysis of covariance was used to obtain the brain regions in which there was an interaction between language and aphasia and to analyze the correlation between the brain regions with abnormal dFCs and linguistic behavior.Results:Interaction between the bilateral inferior frontal gyrus and the left medial and paracentral cingulate gyrus and the right postcentral gyrus dFC was observed to vary. Temporal variability among the Uygur patients was significantly less than among the Uygur healthy and Chinese patient groups. The temporal variability of Broca′s mirror area and the right postcentral gyrus in the Chinese patient group was significantly greater than in the Chinese healthy group or the Uygur patient group. Variability of Broca′s area and the left medial and paracingulate cingulate gyrus in the Uygur patients group correlated positively with oral fluency, reading comprehension and writing.Conclusion:There are differences in the temporal variability of the dFC in the bilateral inferior frontal gyrus between Uygur and Chinese BA patients. The lower variability of Broca′s area with the left medial and paracingulate and cingulate gyrus may help to identify impaired language function in BA patients. The enhanced variability of the Broca′s mirror image area with the right postcentral gyrus may be the result of reorganization of the linguistic network in Chinese BA patients.

Expression of progranulin in mononuclear cells in the peripheral blood of patients with post-stroke aphasia / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective:To document the expression of aphasia-related progranulin gene (GRN) in mononuclear cells in the peripheral blood (PBMC) of patients with post-stroke aphasia (PSA).Methods:PC12 cells at the logarithmic-growth stage were cultured and divided into a non-specific interference group (the gene control group) and a specific interference group (the gene silencing group) when the cell density reached 30 to 50%. After the expression of GRN was knocked down in the cells, the occurrence of variable splicing events was analyzed using high-throughput transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq). Meanwhile, 10 PSA patients were selected into a patient group and 10 healthy counterparts were chosen as a control group. Blood was collected from both groups and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reactions (RT-qPCR) were employed to determine any changes in GRN mRNA expression and the occurrence of variable splicing events in the nuclear factor related to kappa-B-binding protein (NFRKB) in their PBMCs. The patient group received conventional speech therapy, and immediately after their first and second blood collections their speech functioning was assessed using the Chinese Aphasia Battery (ABC). Pearson correlation coefficients were then computed relating the GRN expression and ABC scores.Results:After knocking down GRN in the PC12 cells, the expression of GRN in the gene knockdown group was significantly different from that in the control group. There were 237 genes with significant differences in variable splicing between the two samples. The number of genes with variable splicing events at the 5′ end was the largest. There were also significant differences between the groups in the average occurrence of NFRKB variable splicing events. And significant diffe-rences were observed in the mRNA expression of GRN between the two blood collections from the patient group, as well as between the first collection from the patient group and the controls. The average oral expression score of the PSA patients improved significantly, particularly the retelling score. The changes in the GRN expression level were positively correlated with the recovery of oral expression ability.Conclusion:GRN can promote the recovery of speech function in PSA patients by regulating the variable splicing of NFRKB.

The effects on the language ability and life quality of aphasic stroke survivors of synchronous, long-distance speech rehabilitation training based on Oral Reading for Language with Aphasia / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective:To observe any effect of long-distance application of Oral Reading for Language with Aphasia (ORLA) training on patients with post-stroke aphasia.Methods:A total of 42 stroke survivors with aphasia were randomly divided into an inpatient group, and two online groups, each of 14. All three groups had their routine rehabilitation treatment supplemented with ordinary multimodal language therapy and ORLA. The inpatient group completed the routine in the rehabilitation treatment room, while the online groups completed it at home using Tencent video conferencing software. The conventional multimodal language therapy was conducted once daily, 5 days a week for 4 weeks. For the inpatient group and online group 2 the daily session lasted 30 minutes, while for the online 1 groups the daily length was doubled. The ORLA therapy was also conducted once daily, 5 days a week for 4 weeks, for the inpatient group and online group 2 the daily session lasted 1h, while for the online 1 groups the daily length was 30min.The speech function, reading ability and life quality of the three groups were evaluated before and after the intervention using the Western Aphasia Battery, the Chinese Standard Aphasia Examination Scale and the Chinese version of the Stroke Aphasia Quality of Life Scale.Results:After treatment, the average aphasia quotient (AQ), reading, naming and quality of life scores in all three groups had improved significantly compared with those before treatment. And related language ability scores (such as retelling, fluency, information volume, listening comprehension, etc.) had also improved significantly in all three groups. However, the average AQ, reading, and oral fluency scores of the inpatient group and online group 2 were significantly higher than those of online group 1. Significant improvement was also observed in the reading aloud and life quality of all three groups, but the average improvement in reading aloud was significantly greater in the inpatient group and in online group 2 compared to online group 1. The average life quality of the online groups was significantly superior to that of the inpatient group.Conclusion:Medium- and high-intensity ORLA synchronous remote speech rehabilitation can significantly improve the speech ability, reading ability and life quality of aphasic stroke survivors.

Assessments of Aphasia: Practices and Challenges faced by Malaysian SpeechLanguage Therapists (Penilaian Aphasia: Amalan dan Cabaran yang dihadapi oleh Jurupulih Pertuturan-Bahasa Malaysia) / Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia

@#Aphasia assessment is crucial in diagnosing aphasia, determining the extent of language impairment, and identifying factors that may support or restrict aphasia recovery to design an appropriate plan of care for people with aphasia. Speech-language therapists (SLTs) play a major role in conducting aphasia assessments. Little is known about the practices of SLTs in assessing aphasia in low-resource regions. The present study aims to identify aphasia assessment practices among Malaysian SLTs and related challenges, as well as strategies for improving aphasia assessments from SLTs’ perspectives. A total of 32 SLT participants who have been practicing in Malaysia completed an online survey to gather their background information, data pertaining to practices and challenges in conducting aphasia assessments, and suggestions for improving aphasia assessments. Descriptive analyses were conducted for all numerical data. Suggestions for improving aphasia assessment practices were analysed qualitatively using the thematic content analysis approach. SLT practices in aphasia assessment were found to be consistent in certain aspects, but not all. Two major challenges were identified: (a) linguistic barriers between clinicians and clients/caregivers, and (b) a lack of standardized assessment tools for aphasia evaluations. Participants suggested “Internal Strategies” and “External Strategies” for improving aphasia assessment practices.

Effect of low frequency or high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on stroke patients with nonfluent aphasia / 中国康复理论与实践

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of low frequency or high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on right Broca's homologue in stroke patients with nonfluent aphasia. MethodsFrom January, 2019 to August, 2022, 80 inpatients in Beijing Bo'ai Hospital were randomly divided into control group (n = 20), sham stimulation group (n = 20), low-frequency (1 Hz) rTMS (LF-rTMS) group (n = 20) and high-frequency (10 Hz) rTMS (HF-rTMS) group (n = 20). All the patients received routine language therapy. LF-rTMS group and HF-rTMS group received ten days of rTMS (1 Hz or 10 Hz), and the sham group received ten days of sham rTMS. The Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) was used to evaluate the language function before, after treatment, and two months after treatment. ResultsBefore treatment, there was no significant difference in the scores of WAB among four groups (P > 0.05). All the scores improved in the four groups immediately after treatment and two months after treatment (P < 0.05). Compared with immediately after treatment, all the scores of WAB improved in LF-rTMS group (P < 0.05), and the scores of recall, name and aphasia quotient (AQ) improved in HF-rTMS group (P < 0.05) two months after treatment. Immediately after treatment, the scores of content and fluency, auditory comprehension and AQ were higher in LF-rTMS group than in HF-rTMS group (P < 0.05). Two months after treatment, the scores of content and fluency were higher in LF-rTMS group than in HF-rTMS group (P < 0.05). ConclusionBoth 1 Hz and 10 Hz rTMS could improve the language function of stroke patients with nonfluent aphasia, especially 1 Hz.

Afasia primaria progresiva y sus variantes: diagnóstico, evolución, características imagenológicas y manejo / Progressive primary aphasia and its variants: diagnosis, evolution, imaging characteristics and management

RESUMEN INTRODUCCIÓN: Las demencias son un conjunto de trastornos neurocognitivos, en personas con edad menor a 65 años sobresale la demencia frontotemporal, síndrome neurodegenerativo heterogéneo que tiene dos grandes variantes: conductual y afasia primaria progresiva. En esta última se describen tres variantes: no fluente, semántica y logopénica, que exigen en la práctica conocimientos actualizados para su diferenciación y comprensión. El objetivo de este escrito es hacer una revisión narrativa sobre las tres variantes clínicas de la afasia primaria progresiva, profundizando en diagnóstico, evolución, características imagenológicas y manejo. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Artículo de revisión narrativa a partir del estado del arte en literatura biomédica sobre demencia frontotemporal, afasia primaria progresiva y sus variantes. RESULTADOS: El compromiso del lenguaje y de otras funciones cognitivas, así como los hallazgos imagenológicos, son heterogéneos en las tres variantes. Semiológicamente, la afasia primaria progresiva no fluente se caracteriza por apraxia del habla, la variante logopénica por fallas en la nominación y la variante semántica por fallas en el significado del mensaje. El compromiso imagenológico en la afasia primaria progresiva no fluente es más frontoinsular y corticosubcortical; en la variante semántica es habitualmente temporal del lado dominante; y en la variante logopénica priman alteraciones temporoparietales. No hay tratamiento específico, pero se puede vincular algunas opciones farmacológicas con procesos/técnicas de rehabilitación del lenguaje. CONCLUSIÓN: Si bien se trata de una forma heterogénea de demencia, tiene características clínicas (síntomas, signos y evolución) e imagenológicas importantes a la hora de su detección y diagnóstico en ambientes clínicos.

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Dementias are a group of neurocognitive disorders, and in people under 65 years of age, frontotemporal dementia stands out, a heterogeneous neurodegenerative syndrome that has two major variants: behavioral and primary progressive aphasia. In the latter, three variants are described: non-fluent, semantic and logopenic, which require up-to-date knowledge in practice for their differentiation and understanding. The objective is to carry out a narrative review on the three clinical variants of primary progressive aphasia, delving into diagnosis, evolution, imaging characteristics and management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Narrative review article based on the state of the art in biomedical literature on frontotemporal dementia, primary progressive aphasia and its variants. RESULTS: The compromise of language and other cognitive functions, as well as the imaging findings, are heterogeneous in the three variants. Semiologically, non-fluent progressive primary aphasia is characterized by apraxia of speech, the logopenic variant by failures in the nomination and the semantic variant by failures in the meaning of the message. Imaging involvement in non-fluent progressive primary aphasia is mainly frontoinsular and cortico-subcortical; in the semantic variant it is usually temporary on the dominant side; and in the logopenic variant, temporo-parietal alterations prevail. There is no specific treatment, but some pharmacological options can be linked with language rehabilitation processes / techniques. CONCLUSION: although Frontotemporal dementia is an heterogenous disorder, there are important clinical and imagenologic features that are useful to the diagnostic approach in the clinical field.