The efficacy of donepezil for post-stroke aphasia:a pilot case control study / 中华内科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of donepezil for post-stroke aphasia. Methods Sixty patients with acute post-stroke aphasia were divided into treatment group and a control group. All patients had been treated for secondary prevention according to the guideline. The treatment group received donepezil hydrochloride (5 mg/d) for 12 weeks. The efficacy of treatment was measured by comparing the changes of scores of Western Aphasia Battery ( WAB) between baseline and 12 weeks later. Results Compared with the baseline, the changes of scores of all items of WAB and Aphasia Quotient ( AQ) in both group after 12 weeks follow-up were great, however, the change of AQ was significantly greater in donepezil group (34. 14 ± 17. 70) than that in control group (20. 69± 17. 26) (P =0. 004). The patients in donepezil group also showed significant recovery in spontaneous speech, comprehension, repetition, and naming than those in control group (P <0. 05 ). The rate of significant improving in donepezil group was 60. 0% which was significantly greater than that in control group ( 26. 7% ) ( P = 0. 009 ). Conclusion There are spontaneous recovery of post-stroke aphasia within 3 months. Donepezil may facilitate the recovery in spontaneous speech, comprehension,repetition,and naming functions.