Background Aphasia is considered an acquired communication disorder. Language intervention in aphasia enhances the patient outcomes. Recently, computer programs are developed for the treatment of aphasia. It is an effective and a low-cost therapy choice. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of language therapy using a computer-based Arabic software program for rehabilitation of post-stroke Arabic-speaking aphasic patients in comparison to the conventional language therapy. We conducted a randomized controlled trial with blinded endpoint evaluation. The trial included 50 aphasic patients. They were randomized into either group I or group II to receive 48 therapy sessions using the Arabic software program (group I) or the conventional therapy (group II). The primary outcome was a measure of improvement in language abilities. It was measured using the Arabic version of the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination to detect any significant improvement in the language of both groups in comparison to pre-therapy results. The post-therapy results of both groups were compared to each other to document the effectiveness of the software program. Results A total of 105 aphasic patients were screened and 50 subjects were randomized to the intervention groups [40 subjects were males, mean age of the patients: 57.04 years± SD 10.88 for group I and 58.80 years ± SD 11.58 for group II]. The therapy results showed a significant improvement from the baseline in both groups. There was no significant difference in the post-therapy results between group I and group II except for some items whereas group I showed more significant improvement. Conclusions Language therapy using a computer-based Arabic software program was as effective as the conventional therapy in the improvement of language abilities of Arabic-speaking aphasic patients.

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Background Cochlear implantation (CI) is an electronic hearing device that is surgically implanted to bypass damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve. Nowadays, CI prospects for children with profound hearing loss (HL) have been significantly improved. Now, most implanted children can expect similar audiological outcomes to those with moderate to severe HL with aids depending on the time of loss and cognitive function. Aim This study aimed at assessing the progress in all aspects of language acquisition and the effect of various factors on the outcome of cochlear implantation in children undergoing auditory training for at least 2 years after surgery. Results The results showed the effectiveness of early implantation in terms of improvement in linguistic skills, indicated by significant change of language age scores when compared before and after surgery (median age 1.167 years to 4.75 years with p value < 0.0001). Significant improvement in degree of hearing level (HL median from 100 dB to 25 with p value < 0.0001), in addition to its effect on improving the general IQ (mean from 82.42 ± 9.46 to 88.61 ± 8.13 with p value = 0.006) and abstract IQ scores (mean from 83.48 ± 9.81 to 94.45 ± 10.41 with p value = 0.0001). Conclusion CI children showed significant improvement in speech perception, auditory skills, and IQ scores as well as receptive and expressive language after CI denoted by the improvement of language age. Significant improvement was found in early implantation age (under 2 years) in the postoperative degree of hearing level and in language test scores in comparison to older aged children.

Background Velopharyngeal dysfunction causes abnormal speech due to altered nasal resonance during the production of oral speech sounds. The development of computer-based speech therapy has been growing to make use of computer technology in providing an organized effective source for speech therapy and feedback. The development of a remediation software program that is specific for patients with velopharyngeal dysfunction in the Arabic language and testing its efficacy on patients’ speech was the aim of this study. Results The study showed significant improvement in speech parameters after intervention with p value less than 0.05 for nasometer values and parameters of auditory perceptual assessment. The study proved a significant relation between nasometer values and auditory perceptual assessment. Conclusion The designed software program proved to be a good therapeutic tool in improving speech in patients with velopharyngeal dysfunction. The application of the program on a larger number of patients and in comparison with traditional methods of speech therapy and biofeedback is recommended. Trial registration The study was retrospectively registered at www.clinicaltrials.govNCT04392817

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