Speech-language intervention in expressive aphasia: integrative review

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Aphasia symptoms can be improved via speech and language therapy.

Purpose

To analyze speech-language intervention methods in expressive aphasia.

Research strategy

An integrative review of the literature was performed using SciELO, PubMed and PsycINFO databases, from February to April 2018. The following search terms: “non-fluent aphasia”, OR “broca” OR “transcortical motor aphasia” OR “motor aphasia” OR “amnestic aphasia” OR “semantic aphasia” OR “dymanic aphasia” OR “anomi*” AND “intervention” OR “therapy” OR “rehabilitation” OR “treatment” were used for PubMed and PsycINFO databases. In SciELO database, only the search term “aphasia” was used.

Selection criteria

Articles published in the last ten years (from 2009 to 2018) in Portuguese, English or Spanish, whether or not they were open access journals. Studies with participants older than 19 years were selected. Articles not related to traditional therapy were excluded, as well as those which did not present participants with expressive aphasia and those which treated speech motor disorders such as pure dysarthria and pure apraxia. Literature review studies and studies involving bilingual participants were also excluded.

Results

One hundred and seventy-four articles were found. After analysis and application of the established selection criteria, 32 complete articles were selected. Word retrieval therapy, melodic intonation therapy and conversation therapy were the traditional methods found in this study.

Conclusion

Word retrieval therapy was the method most commonly used.

Keywords:
Aphasia; Rehabilitation; Speech Therapy; Language; Review