Background and Purpose-In response to the established notion that improvement of language functions in chronic aphasia only can be achieved through long-term treatment, we examined the efficacy of a short-term, intensive language training, constraint-induced aphasia therapy (CIAT). This program is founded on the learning principles of prevention of compensatory communication (constraint), massed practice, and shaping (induced). Methods-Twenty-seven patients with chronic aphasia received 30 hours of training over 10 days. Twelve patients were trained with the CIAT program. For 15 patients the training included a module of written language and an additional training in everyday communication, which involved the assistance of family members (CIATplus). Outcome measures included standardized neurolinguistic testing and ratings of the quality and the amount of daily communication. Results-Language functions improved significantly after training for both groups and remained stable over a 6-month follow-up period. Single case analyses revealed statistically significant improvements in 85% of the patients. Patients and relatives of both groups rated the quality and amount of communication as improved after therapy. This increase was more pronounced for patients of the group CIATplus in the follow-up. Conclusions-Results confirm that a short-term intense language training, based on learning principles, can lead to substantial and lasting improvements in language functions in chronic aphasia. The use of family and friends in the training provides an additional valuable element. This effective intervention can be successfully used in the rehabilitation of chronic aphasia patients. Additionally, its short-term design makes it economically attractive for service providers.

Background: Recent research suggests the effectiveness of short-term highly intensive treatment approaches in the chronic stage of aphasia. However, the effective elements of such treatment need to be determined. Aims: The present study's aim was to evaluate which factors attribute to the success of aphasia therapy. An intensive (3 hours/day, 10 consecutive days) model-orientated aphasia therapy (MOAT), which considers patients' individual symptoms, was evaluated and therapy effects were compared to those of a similarly intensive training focusing on active speaking elements (constraint-induced aphasia therapy, CIAT) in order to identify the effective elements. Methods & Procedures: 12 patients with chronic aphasia received 30 hours of MOAT over 10 days. Language functions were assessed with a standardised language test (Aachen Aphasia Test) and a naming task prior to therapy, after therapy, and at a 6-month follow-up. In addition, the amount and quality of communication were assessed with questionnaires as an indication of transfer to everyday communication. Results of this treatment group were compared to those of 27 patients who were treated according to principles of CIAT. Outcomes & Results: Language functions improved significantly following treatment relative to the pre-treatment scores, and the improvements remained stable across the follow-up period. Effects were comparable to those of CIAT for most variables, except for written language and perception of everyday communication which improved more

BackgroundFocal clusters of slow wave activity in the delta frequency range (1–4 Hz), as measured by magnetencephalography (MEG), are usually located in the vicinity of structural damage in the brain. Such oscillations are usually considered pathological and indicative of areas incapable of normal functioning owing to deafferentation from relevant input sources. In the present study we investigated the change in Delta Dipole Density in 28 patients with chronic aphasia (>12 months post onset) following cerebrovascular stroke of the left hemisphere before and after intensive speech and language therapy (3 hours/day over 2 weeks).ResultsNeuropsychologically assessed language functions improved significantly after training. Perilesional delta activity decreased after therapy in 16 of the 28 patients, while an increase was evident in 12 patients. The magnitude of change of delta activity in these areas correlated with the amount of change in language functions as measured by standardized language tests.ConclusionsThese results emphasize the significance of perilesional areas in the rehabilitation of aphasia even years after the stroke, and might reflect reorganisation of the language network that provides the basis for improved language functions after intensive training.