Characteristics of Language Disorder in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To identify the incidence and characteristics of language disorders in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), and to understand the differences of language disorder according to the degree and lesion of brain damage and the outcomes after proper language training programs. METHOD: The subjects were 24 adult TBI patients. Seventeen patients with language disorder were examined with language disorder screening test. The characteristics of the language disorders were evaluated according to the degree and lesion site of the brain injury. Prognosis of the language disorders was studied. The tests were performed at the initiation and termination of the language treatment program. RESULTS: The incidence of language disorders was 91.7%. At the initial evaluation, all items showed a low rate of correct response, but at the final evaluation, the statistically significant improvement was noted in all items. There was no difference between moderate and severe brain damages at final evaluation. Focal lesion group revealed higher rate of correct response than diffuse lesion group on comprehension, expression, reading, and calculation at final evaluation. CONCLUSION: The TBI patients showed diffuse language dysfunction on fluency, comprehension, expression, reading, writing, and calculation. But the majority of these patients showed satisfactory recovery, especially the focal brain lesion showed the better outcome. These patients with focal lesion were needed precise language evaluation and more intensive language treatment program.