A retrospective review of speech-language therapy services provided to adult inpatients at a central-level hospital in Gauteng, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: The quadruple burden of disease (BoD) and multimorbidity reflected in South Africa's public health sector challenges speech-language therapists (SLTs) to optimise patient management in this context. For planning and delivery of appropriate services, it is important to understand the profile of speech-language therapy (SLT) patients and the public healthcare services provided by SLTs. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe the prevalence of inpatient adult speech, language and swallowing disorders associated with various medical conditions and South Africa's BoD, in addition to the target areas and duration of SLT interventions provided at a central public hospital. METHOD: A retrospective review was conducted on records of 2549 adult inpatients who received SLT services between January 2014 and December 2015 at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. Data, including demographics, medical and SLT diagnoses, and treatment recommendations, were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) were most prevalent (77.48%), with multimorbidity of BoD categories in 29.27% of patients. Cerebrovascular disease (CeVD) comprised 52.45% patients, with CeVD, traumatic brain injury, other neurological conditions, cancer and burns comprising 88.74% patients. More than a third of the patients with CeVD were 56 years (n = 486; 36.35%). Dysphagia (48.96%), aphasia (30.95%) and dysarthria (23.62%) were the most common, with 44.68% of patients having multiple SLT diagnoses. The number of SLT sessions significantly correlated with SLT comorbidity (rs = 0.4200; p = 0.0000), but not BoD comorbidity (rs = 0.0049; p = 0.8058). CONCLUSION: Speech-language therapy patients reflected a heavy NCD burden and multimorbidity. Provision of SLT services should take into consideration a profile of increased complexity of medical conditions and SLT diagnoses.

Translation and Adaptation of the Vocal Fatigue Index into Spanish / Traducción y adaptación del Índice de Fatiga Vocal al español

Aim: the purpose of this study was to translate and adapt the English version of the Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI) into the Spanish language. Methods: the English version of the Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI) was translated into Spanish by two bilingual speech-language pathologists, and then was back-translated into English. The Spanish VFI (o "Índice de Fatiga Vocal", IFV) was administrated to a pilot group of 10 individuals, which revealed some small typographical and grammati-cal adjustments to the index. The final updated version was then administrated to 34 subjects (21 with voice disorders, and 13 without voice disorders). Internal consistency and scale reliability were analyzed using Cronbach alpha coefficient. Results: a high Cronbach alpha coefficient for the three factors (0.87) was obtained. The results of the item role in reliability of the Spanish VFI demonstrated that all of them showed a positive role according to this criterion. The results of the ANOVA indicate a statistically significant difference between groups on the three scores of the Spanish translation of the VFI. In comparison to the healthy participants, those with voice disorders obtained statistically significant higher scores for the Spanish VFI subscales. Conclusion: the present study suggests that the Spanish translation of the Vocal Fatigue Index has a good internal consistency and high reliability on each of the three factors. The results suggest that the Spanish VFI can be used reliably to identify persons with vocal fatigue and has good clinical validity.

Objetivo: el propósito de este estudio fue traducir y adaptar la versión en inglés del Índice de Fatiga Vocal (VFI) al español. Métodos: la versión en Inglés del Índice de Fatiga Vocal (VFI) fue traducida al espa-ñol por dos fonoaudiólogos bilingües, y después traducida de vuelta al inglés. El VFI en español (o IFV) fue administrado a un grupo piloto de 10 sujetos, lo que reveló pequeños errores tipográficos y gramaticales, los cuales fueron corregidos. La versión final fue administrada a 34 sujetos (21 con desordenes de voz y 13 sin desordenes de voz). El análisis de datos incluyó evaluación de consistencia interna y fiabilidad usan-do el coeficiente Alpha de Cronbach. Resultados: se encontró un coeficiente Alpha de Cronbach alto para los tres fac-tores (0.87). Los resultados del rol de los elementos en la fiabilidad del IFV en espa-ñol sugieren que todos tienen roles positivos dentro de este criterio. Los resultados del análisis de ANOVA indican diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos en los tres componentes de la versión en español del VFI. En comparación con los participantes sanos, los participantes con problemas de voz tuvieron puntajes significativamente más altos en las subescalas del VFI en español. Conclusión: este estudio sugiere que la traducción al español del Índice de Fatiga Vocal tiene buena consistencia interna y alta fiabilidad en los tres factores. Los resul-tados sugieren que el IFV en español puede ser usado con fiabilidad para identificar personas con fatiga vocal con una buena validez clínica.

Acesso à reabilitação fonoaudiológica e a continuidade do cuidado pela Atenção Primária em Saúde para vítimas de acidente de motocicleta / Access to speech-language pathology therapy and continuity of assistance in Primary Health Care for victims of motorcycle accidents

RESUMO Objetivo Verificar o acesso à reabilitação fonoaudiológica e a continuidade do cuidado pela Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) em vítimas de acidente de motocicleta. Método Trata-se de estudo realizado em um hospital de grande porte localizado em Recife-Pernambuco, recrutado entre o período de junho e julho de 2014. Após a alta hospitalar todos foram contatados para investigação do processo de reabilitação fonoaudiológica. Para o estudo na Atenção Primária à Saúde, foram utilizadas medidas de frequência absoluta e relativa. Já os casos em reabilitação foram descritos através de quadros. Resultados Foi verificado que 99 indivíduos foram vítimas de acidentes por motocicletas no período estudado. Desses, 30 entrevistados referiram ter essas queixas de alteração no sistema estomatognático, dos quais 8 estavam em reabilitação e 18 referiram residir em área adstrita a Unidade de Saúde da Família. Os principais obstáculos para o acesso à fonoterapia apontados foram a distância aos serviços de Fonoaudiologia e o tempo de espera para início do tratamento. Um dos aspectos relacionados à continuidade do cuidado pela Atenção Primária à Saúde, como a busca e obtenção de insumos, foi visto como frequente. Ao contrário da visita domiciliar, menos frequente. Conclusão Foram identificados obstáculos que dificultaram o acesso à fonoterapia, assim como fragilidades nos cuidados dispensados pela Atenção Primária, como a visita domiciliar, contribuindo para a fragmentação do cuidado contínuo e integral às vítimas.

ABSTRACT Purpose To verify the access to speech-language pathology (SLP) therapy and continuity of assistance in Primary Health Care (PHC) for victims of motorcycle accidents. Methods A quantitative and qualitative study was conducted at a large hospital in the city of Recife, Pernanbuco state, Brazil. Among the 99 victims recruited between June and July 2014, 30 had SLP complaints as a result of the accidents. After hospital discharge, all victims were contacted for investigation of the SLP rehabilitation process. Absolute and relative frequencies were used for the analysis in PHC, and data were displayed in tables for the therapy cases. Results Among the 30 individuals who reported having alterations of the stomatognathic system, eight were undergoing rehabilitation and 18 reported residing in an area covered by the Family Health Strategy (primary care modality). Seeking and obtaining continuity of treatment (medication and bandaging) in primary care were frequent; in contrast, home visits were less frequent. The main obstacles to access SLP therapy were distance to the service and waiting time to begin treatment. Conclusion This study identified obstacles that hamper access to SLP therapy in PHC, such as the low frequency of home visits, contributing to the fragmentation of continuous and complete care for victims.

Compreensão de leitura em disléxicos após programa de intervenção / Reading comprehension in dyslexic schoolchildren after an intervention program

RESUMO Objetivo Elaborar um programa terapêutico fonoaudiológico e verificar seus efeitos na compreensão de leitura de escolares disléxicos. Método Participaram do estudo onze escolares de 4º e 5° anos do ensino fundamental, diagnosticados com Dislexia do Desenvolvimento, com idades entre nove e onze anos, sendo oito meninos. Todos foram submetidos ao programa terapêutico fonoaudiológico com 16 sessões, divididas em quatro níveis de complexidade. Em cada sessão, foram utilizados um texto adaptado com a Técnica de Cloze e tarefas de Compreensão Textual e Ortografia. Os sujeitos realizaram avaliação da compreensão leitora no pré e no pós-teste com um texto do Teste de Compreensão Leitora de Textos Expositivos, adaptado com a Técnica de Cloze estrutural sem apoio, seguido da Avaliação dos Níveis de Compreensão de Leitura. Resultados Os sujeitos apresentaram melhor desempenho na compreensão leitora no pós-teste, tanto no preenchimento do texto adaptado com a Técnica de Cloze e nas respostas às Perguntas de Compreensão Textual quanto no nível de compreensão de leitura atingido. Conclusão O programa elaborado gerou melhor desempenho na compreensão leitora dos escolares disléxicos e na motivação para a leitura. A Técnica de Cloze e as Perguntas de Compreensão Textual foram instrumentos úteis para desenvolver e apontar mudanças na compreensão de leitura dos sujeitos desta pesquisa. Trata-se de estudo relevante, por elaborar e verificar os efeitos de um programa específico de remediação para disléxicos, com uma proposta de aplicação de textos usando a Técnica de Cloze e aliando-a a outras tarefas diversificadas de compreensão de leitura textual e ortografia.

ABSTRACT Purpose To develop a Speech-language Pathology (SLP) program and verify its effects on the reading comprehension of dyslexic students. Methods Participants were eleven 4th and 5th-grade Elementary School students, eight boys and three girls, aged 9-11 years, diagnosed with developmental dyslexia. All individuals underwent the therapeutic program, which was composed of 16 sessions divided into four levels of complexity. A text adapted according to the Cloze technique and reading comprehension and orthography tasks were used in each session. The schoolchildren had their reading comprehension assessed pre- and post-program using a text available at the Test of Reading Comprehension of Expository Texts, adapted for application of the structural Cloze technique without support, according to the Evaluation of Reading Comprehension Levels. Results The participants showed better performance in reading comprehension at the post-program assessment not only in the filling of blanks in the text adapted according to the Cloze technique and in the Responses to Reading Comprehension Questions, but also in the level of reading comprehension achieved. Conclusion The SLP program improved the reading comprehension performance and increased motivation to reading of dyslexic schoolchildren. Both the Cloze technique and the Reading Comprehension Questions were useful tools to develop and identify changes in the reading comprehension of the students assessed. This study is relevant because it prepared and verified the effects of a specific remediation program for schoolchildren with dyslexia by proposing the use of texts adapted according to the Cloze technique combined with other various tasks of reading comprehension and orthography.

Reabilitação pós-AVC: identificação de sinais e sintomas fonoaudiológicos por enfermeiros e médicos da Atenção Primária à Saúde / Post-stroke rehabilitation: identification of speech-language disorders signs and symptoms by physicians and nurses in Primary Health Care

RESUMO Objetivo O Acidente Vascular Cerebral (AVC) é um agravo comum para a população e um problema para a saúde pública global em termos de mortalidade, deficiência e demanda de custos. O objetivo deste estudo é verificar quais grupos de comorbidades ligados aos distúrbios fonoaudiológicos são identificados por médicos e enfermeiros das equipes de Estratégia de Saúde da Família (ESF) para encaminhamento à reabilitação fonoaudiológica e continuidade do cuidado de pacientes pós-AVC nas Atenções Primária e Secundária à Saúde (APS). Método Participaram 22 médicos e enfermeiros das equipes de ESF apoiadas pelo Núcleo de Apoio à Saúde da Família, no sul do Brasil. Um questionário desenvolvido para este estudo foi respondido, explorando variáveis sociodemográficas, histórico de formação, atuação profissional e condutas ao paciente com AVC. Análise descritiva dos dados (frequências absoluta e relativa) foi realizada no Software SPSS 22. Resultados Dos entrevistados, 77,3% encaminham pacientes pós-AVC para fisioterapia e 54,5%, para reabilitação fonoaudiológica. Nenhum profissional realiza encaminhamento por sequelas cognitivas de compreensão; 90,0% encaminham por distúrbios de linguagem expressiva na fala. Para alterações do sistema estomatognático, 80,0% dos médicos não encaminham para fonoaudiólogo e 83,3% dos enfermeiros o fazem. Conclusão Os profissionais demonstraram dificuldade em identificar distúrbios fonoaudiológicos ligados à cognição e ao sistema estomatognático, não encaminhando para reabilitação fonoaudiológica nas Atenções Primária e Secundária à Saúde. Os resultados apontam para a necessidade de ações que auxiliem no processo de educação permanente e melhorem o conhecimento das equipes de APS, para que as sequelas fonoaudiológicas sejam devidamente identificadas e encaminhadas para reabilitação.

ABSTRACT Purpose Stroke is a common disease for people and a global public health concern in terms of mortality, disability, and cost demand. This study aims to assess which groups of comorbidities related to speech-language disorders are identified by physicians and nurses of the Family Health Strategy (FHS) as to be referred to post-stroke speech-language rehabilitation at Primary and Secondary Health Care. Methods Twenty-two physicians and nurses, from the FHS supported by the Family Health Support Center in southern Brazil, answered a questionnaire developed for this study, exploring socio-demographic variables, education background, professional performance and conduct to post-stroke patients. A descriptive data analysis (absolute and relative frequencies) was performed in SPSS Software 22. Results Among the participants, 77.3% refer post-stroke patients to physiotherapy and 54.5% to speech-language rehabilitation. None refer to patients to treatment due to cognitive comprehension sequelae; 90.0% refer for significant speech-language disorders. In case of changes in the stomatognathic system, 80.0% of physicians do not refer to speech-language pathologists, and 83.3% of nurses usually do. Conclusion The professionals showed difficulty in identifying speech-language pathological signs and symptoms related to cognition and the stomatognathic system, not referring to speech-language rehabilitation at primary or secondary health care. The results highlight the importance of continuing education and improvement of the knowledge of the primary health care teams, so that speech-language sequelae are properly identified and sent for rehabilitation.

Programa fonoaudiológico em compreensão leitora e ortografia: efeitos na ortografia em disléxicos / Speech-language pathology program for reading comprehension and orthography: effects on the spelling of dyslexic individuals

RESUMO Objetivo Elaborar um Programa Fonoaudiológico em Compreensão Leitora e Ortografia e verificar seus efeitos na compreensão leitora e ortografia de escolares com Dislexia do Desenvolvimento. Método Participaram desta pesquisa onze indivíduos com diagnóstico de Dislexia do Desenvolvimento, com idades entre 9 e 11 anos, sendo oito meninos. Todos foram submetidos ao Programa Fonoaudiológico em Compreensão Leitora e Ortografia, composto por 16 sessões semanais individuais. Em cada sessão, foram desenvolvidas tarefas de compreensão leitora de textos e de ortografia. Antes do início e ao término do Programa, os participantes realizaram uma avaliação específica (pré e pós-teste). Resultados Os indivíduos apresentaram dificuldade na compreensão de textos, porém a técnica de Cloze foi um instrumento útil para a remediação da compreensão leitora, havendo melhora significativa no desempenho destes no pós-teste. Os disléxicos demonstraram um desempenho inferior à escolaridade em ortografia. Após o Programa, o desempenho deles evoluiu, porém permaneceu abaixo do esperado, ocorrendo o mesmo perfil de erros no pré e no pós-teste, com erros de ortografia natural e ortografia arbitrária. Conclusão O Programa Fonoaudiológico em Compreensão Leitora e Ortografia produz efeitos positivos na compreensão leitora, na ortografia e na motivação para a leitura e escrita dos participantes. Este estudo apresenta uma contribuição inédita, ao propor a estimulação conjunta da leitura e da escrita, por meio de um programa de fácil aplicabilidade e análise, em indivíduos com Dislexia do Desenvolvimento.

ABSTRACT Purpose Prepare a Speech-language Pathology Program for Reading Comprehension and Orthography and verify its effects on the reading comprehension and spelling of students with Developmental Dyslexia. Methods The study sample was composed of eleven individuals (eight males), diagnosed with Developmental Dyslexia, aged 09-11 years. All participants underwent a Speech-language Pathology Program in Reading Comprehension and Orthography comprising 16 individual weekly sessions. In each session, tasks of reading comprehension of texts and orthography were developed. At the beginning and end of the Program, the participants were submitted to a specific assessment (pre- and post-test). Results The individuals presented difficulty in reading comprehension, but the Cloze technique proved to be a useful remediation tool, and significant improvement in their performance was observed in the post-test evaluation. The dyslexic individuals showed poor performance for their educational level in the spelling assessment. At the end of the program, their performance evolved, but it remained below the expected, showing the same error pattern at the pre- and post-tests, with errors in both natural and arbitrary spelling. Conclusion The proposed Speech-language Pathology Program for Reading Comprehension and Orthography produced positive effects on the reading comprehension, spelling, and motivation to reading and writing of the participants. This study presents an unprecedented contribution by proposing joint stimulation of reading and writing by means of a program easy to apply and analyze in individuals with Developmental Dyslexia.

Cerebellar mutism: the rehabilitation challenge in pediatric neuro-oncology: case studies.

Cerebellar Mutism Syndrome (CMS), also known as posterior fossa syndrome (CMS/PFS), refers to a transient loss of speech followed by dysarthria and is a common complication in the pediatric population following resection of a cerebellar tumor. Recognition and rehabilitation of CMS is critical in the post-operative phases of recovery. Two case studies, including neuropsychological assessments, along with the family and patient's perspectives are reviewed.

Occurrence of communication and swallowing problems in neurological disorders: analysis of forty patients.

BACKGROUND: Communication and swallowing problems are common as a result of neurological conditions like stroke, traumatic brain injury, neoplasms of the nervous systems, viral encephalitis, diseases affecting neuromuscular junction and neuro degenerative conditions. The most frequently encountered problems are dysarthria, aphasia, dysphagia and apraxia of speech. OBJECTIVES: Although these disorders are mentioned in literature, very few studies describing the occurrence in different neurological conditions are available in Indian context. Hence, a need was felt to carry out such a study. METHODOLOGY: A heterogenous group of forty patients with neurological conditions were assessed for presence of speech, language and swallowing problems. A percent analysis was carried out to determine the occurrence of aphasia, dysarthria and dysphagia in general, in specific diseases and also to describe type of aphasia and dysarthria according to the characteristics presented. RESULTS: It was seen that the most frequently occurring disorder was dysarthria (60%), followed by dysphagia (55%) and aphasia (18%). It was also noted that dysarthria and dysphagia co-existed in around 45% patients with neurological diseases. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that speech, language and swallowing problems are frequent in individuals with neurological conditions. Speech language pathologist plays an important role as a member of the rehabilitation team in a neurological setup with respect to identifying these problems and initiating intervention at the earliest. Hence, it is necessary for speech language pathologist to be well versed with the features each disorder may present with in terms of communication and swallowing.

The effects of medication on cognition in long-term care.

This article emphasizes the need to consider the role of medications when providing speech-language pathology services to a person with cognitive decline. This is particularly true when working with older adults. Many older adults take multiple medications that may have a direct effect on cognitive ability and as a result, on the success of rehabilitation efforts.

Transferable skills in the field of speech language pathology.

PURPOSE: To highlight new knowledge and technologies that support the transfer of skills generally acquired by speech language pathologists (SLPs) in academic training programs and clinical practice to involvement in the evaluation and management of individuals with disorders such as paradoxical vocal fold movement (PVFM), chronic cough, manifestations of extra-esophageal reflux (EER), esophageal dysphagia and rumination disorder. RECENT FINDINGS: A range of studies published in the previous year provide data to support SLP involvement in the management of some disorders, including PVFM, chronic cough, and some manifestations of EER, both as providers and as clinical resources for other health professionals. However, little research is available that describes the role of SLPs in management of esophageal dysphagia or rumination disorder. SUMMARY: Recent research supports the expanded role of the SLP in the interdisciplinary management of PVFM, chronic cough, manifestations of EER, esophageal dysphagia, and rumination. SLP and other health professionals involved in the care of these patients must find a balance between the practical challenges of treating individuals with increasingly complex medical issues and staying abreast of the latest developments in the diagnosis and treatment of these disorders.

Comparação do processo evolutivo de crianças do espectro autístico em diferentes intervenções terapêuticas fonoaudiológicas / Comparison of the evolutional process of children with autism spectrum disorders in different language therapeutic interventions

OBJETIVO: Analisar e comparar a extensão e a velocidade do processo evolutivo de crianças com Distúrbios do Espectro Autístico assistidas em intervenção terapêutica fonoaudiológica direta e indireta em detrimento à indireta. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de ensaio clínico piloto. A amostra constituiu-se de 11 meninos de quatro a dez anos diagnosticados por equipe multidisciplinar com Autismo Infantil (n=6) e síndrome de Asperger (n=5), que frequentavam terapia fonoaudiólogica especializada na instituição onde o estudo foi realizado. As crianças foram divididas aleatoriamente em dois grupos: Grupo Terapia (GT) - constituído por seis crianças assistidas em intervenção terapêutica fonoaudiológica direta e indireta; Grupo Orientação (GO) - com cinco crianças acompanhadas apenas indiretamente. Utilizamos o Autism Behavior Checklist para entrevistar as mães e a Avaliação do Comportamento Vocal, em três momentos: tempo zero, após seis (tempo 1) e doze meses (tempo 2). RESULTADOS: Verificamos tendência à maior velocidade e extensão do processo evolutivo no Grupo GT, tanto na análise dos valores totais do Autism Behavior Checklist e nas áreas que o compõem, quanto na avaliação do Comportamento Vocal, especialmente no item Faixa da Linguagem. O desempenho das crianças com síndrome de Asperger foi considerado mais positivo quando comparado ao das crianças autistas. Houve padrão evolutivo mais acentuado em crianças de maior faixa etária e com quociente social normal, leve e moderado. CONCLUSÃO: A tendência de melhor desempenho das crianças assistidas em ambas as intervenções mostrou que a associação de ações diretas e indiretas é fundamental no processo terapêutico fonoaudiológico de crianças com Distúrbios do Espectro Autístico.

PURPOSE: To analyze and compare the extension and the speed of the evolutional process of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in direct and indirect interventions as opposed to only indirect intervention. METHODS: The design of this study is a clinical trial. The sample was composed of 11 children diagnosed with Autism (n=6) and Asperger syndrome (n=5) by a multidisciplinary team, that attended specialized speech-language pathology therapy at the institution were the study was carried out. These children were randomly divided into two groups: Therapy Group (TG) - composed by six subjects receiving both direct and indirect intervention; and Orientation Group (OG) - constituted by five subjects receiving exclusively indirect intervention. It was used the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) to interview the mothers, and the Sample of Vocal Behavior (SVB), in three occasions: at the beginning of the intervention process (time 0), six months later (time 1) and 12 months later (time 2). RESULTS: It was observed greater speed and extension in the evolutional process of the TG Group, both in the analysis of the Autism Behavior Checklist (total and partial scores) and the Sample of Vocal Behavior, especially in the item Full Language. The performance of children with Asperger syndrome was considered more positive when compared to that of children with autism. There was greater evolution in younger children and with normal, mild, and moderate adaptive functioning. CONCLUSION: The tendency towards better performance of the children attending direct and indirect intervention showed that this association is fundamental in the therapeutic process of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Language outcomes following risk-adapted treatments for tumors located within the posterior fossa.

The language skills of 4 children treated for tumors involving the cerebellum and/or fourth ventricle with risk-adapted treatments were compared, as a group, with performance of a group of control children (n = 20). The language skills of the individual cases were also profiled. At the group level, language skill failed to differentiate the 2 groups of children. At an individual level, however, only 1 of the 4 children treated with risk-adapted treatments presented with intact language skills. Variable language profiles were identified in the remaining 3 children. The presence of hydrocephaly was a consistent factor in reduced language outcomes. The findings highlight the importance of prospective language monitoring.

Verbal language spontaneous recovery after ischemic stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the spontaneous recovery of the verbal language on patients who have had an ischemic stroke. METHOD: Retrospective analysis of 513 medical records. We characterize referring aspects for data identification, language deficit, spontaneous recovery and speech therapy. RESULTS: The average age was 62.2 years old (SD= +/-12.3), the average time of academic experience was 4.5 years (SD=+/-3.9), 245 (47.7%) patients presented language disturbance, 166 (54.0%) presented spontaneous recovery, from which 145 (47.2%) had expression deficit (p=0.001); 12 (3.9%) had comprehension deficit and 9 (2.9%) had both expression and comprehension deficit. Speech therapy was carried with 15 patients (4.8%) (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: The verbal language spontaneous recovery occurred in most of the patients being taken care of at the stroke out clinic, and expression disturbance was the most identified alteration. As expected, the left hemisphere was associated with the deficit and smoking and pregressive stroke were the language alteration primary associated factors.

Verbal language spontaneous recovery after ischemic stroke / Recuperação espontânea da linguagem verbal após acidente cerebrovascular isquêmico

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the spontaneous recovery of the verbal language on patients who have had an ischemic stroke. METHOD: Retrospective analysis of 513 medical records. We characterize referring aspects for data identification, language deficit, spontaneous recovery and speech therapy. RESULTS: The average age was 62.2 years old (SD= ±12.3), the average time of academic experience was 4.5 years (SD=±3.9), 245 (47.7 percent) patients presented language disturbance, 166 (54.0 percent) presented spontaneous recovery, from which 145 (47.2 percent) had expression deficit (p=0.001); 12 (3.9 percent) had comprehension deficit and 9 (2.9 percent) had both expression and comprehension deficit. Speech therapy was carried with 15 patients (4.8 percent) (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: The verbal language spontaneous recovery occurred in most of the patients being taken care of at the stroke out clinic, and expression disturbance was the most identified alteration. As expected, the left hemisphere was associated with the deficit and smoking and pregressive stroke were the language alteration primary associated factors.

OBJETIVO: Analisar a recuperação espontânea da linguagem verbal em pacientes que sofreram acidente cerebrovascular isquêmico (AVCI). MÉTODO: Análise retrospectiva de 513 prontuários. Caracterizamos aspectos referentes aos dados de identificação, déficit de linguagem, recuperação espontânea, realização de tratamento fonoaudiológico. RESULTADOS: A média de idade foi 62,2 anos (DP=±12,3), o nível de escolaridade teve média de 4,5 anos (DP=±3,9), 245 (47,7 por cento) pacientes apresentaram alteração de linguagem, 166 (54,0 por cento) apresentaram recuperação espontânea sendo 145 (47,2 por cento) do déficit de expressão (p=0,001), 12 (3,9 por cento) de compreensão e 9 (2,9 por cento) misto. A realização de tratamento fonoaudiológico foi encontrada em 15 (4,8 por cento) (p=0,001). CONCLUSÃO: A recuperação espontânea da linguagem verbal ocorreu na maioria dos pacientes atendidos no ambulatório de AVCI e a alteração mais encontrada foi de expressão. Como esperado o hemisfério esquerdo associou-se ao déficit, sendo o tabagismo e AVC pregresso fatores preditores de alteração de linguagem.

Care protocol for persistent vegetative states (PVS) and minimally conscious state (MSC) in Lorraine: retrospective study over an 18-year period.

OBJECTIVES: Retrospective analysis of the efficiency of a protocol for care of chronic vegetative states (CVS) and minimally conscious state (MCS) in Lorraine. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Two indicators are used: protocol activity (number of patients hospitalized between 1988 and 2006, number of admissions per year, of requests per year, origin of requests, waiting time) and the epidemiological data (age, sex ratio, etiology, length of stay, geographic origin, number of deaths, number of hospital discharges). The number of CVS and MCS and patients having progressed towards arousal is specified as well as the technical procedures (orthopedic surgery, number of tracheotomies). RESULTS: Forty-seven patients (30 males and 17 females) were hospitalized in a 12-bed unit. The number of admissions per year was 2.4, and the annual number of requests varied between five and 15. Hospitalization times ranged from six to 18 months. The average length of hospitalization was 41 months. Eighty-eight percent of the cases were residents of Lorraine. The etiology was traumatic (53%), vascular (38% including 12% anoxia), miscellaneous (9%). Fifteen percent rate of return to arousal (average time period: 28.41 months, traumatic etiology) with hospital discharge in four cases. CONCLUSION: The protocol is managed as part of a local scheme and enables an appropriate response to a specific clinical profile by providing up-to-date multidiscipline follow-up care and a rapid solution should intercurrent events occur (signs of arousal, orthopedic deterioration, change of environment). Typical limitations are geographical remoteness and difficulties with family support care.

Speech-language and hearing complaints of children and adolescents with brain tumors.

Central nervous system (CNS) tumors generally leave sequelae that may compromise speech, language, swallowing, hearing, and voice functions. This report describes the incidence of speech-language and hearing complaints and disorders in children and adolescents with CNS tumor under treatment at one of the most important Brazilian reference center for pediatric cancer. One-hundred ninety patients were examined for speech-pathology screening and analysis: forty-two percent presented with complaints and symptoms. From the remaining patients, 68% presented clinical symptoms and 32% were actually free from any speech-language and hearing-related symptoms. The high incidence of complaints and symptoms indicate that these patients might benefit from specific rehabilitation interventions.

Caracteristicas epidemiológicas das alterações de linguagem em um centro fonoaudiológico do primeiro setor / Epidemiological characteristics of language problems in a public health care center

Objetivo: Caracterizar a população com diagnóstico fonoaudiológico de alteração de linguagem, atendida por um centro fonoaudiológico do primeiro setor da capital alagoana. Métodos: Foram analisados dados contidos em 138 prontuários de pacientes com diagnóstico de alteração de linguagem com alta fonoaudiológica, no período de junho de 2000 a junho de 2006. Foram colhidos dados relativos ao gênero, idade no diagnóstico, procedência, escolaridade na admissão, diagnóstico fonoaudiológico, tempo de espera para o início da terapia, tempo de atendimento, encaminhamentos realizados, atendimento interdisciplinar e a presença ou não de pareceres de outras especialidades. Para as variáveis numéricas, determinou-se a média, desvio padrão e erro padrão. A correlação entre as variáveis foi avaliada através do teste de correlação linear de Spearman (p<005). Resultados: A maioria da população atendida procede da capital (90,6 por cento). O gênero masculino predominou na amostra (65,9 por cento), que teve média de idade de 15,63 anos e escolaridade com média de 3,39 anos de estudo; as patologias mais freqüentes foram o desvio fonológico (24,5 por cento) e a gagueira (12,3 por cento). Apesar de não existir correlação estatística entre os encaminhamentos e atendimentos interdisciplinares, a correlação foi demonstrada entre as especialidades de encaminhamentos e atendimentos. Conclusão: A população com alteração de linguagem é bastante heterogênea e as alterações mais freqüentes poderiam ter sido evitadas por meio de estratégias como ações preventivas em Fonoaudiologia.

PURPOSE: To characterize the population with language disorder diagnosis from a public healthcare unit in Alagoas (Brazil). METHODS: Data from 138 files from patients with language disorder that attended speech and language therapy at the healthcare unit were reviewed from June, 2000 to June, 2006. The analyzed variables were: gender, age at diagnosis, origin, schooling level at admission, speech and language diagnosis, period of time waiting for therapy, period of time in treatment, referrals, multidisciplinary treatment, and existence of opinions from other specialties. Mean, standard deviation and standard error were calculated for numerical variables. Correlation between variables was also calculated (Spearman test, p<005). RESULTS: From the sample, the majority of the population is urban (90.6 percent). Masculine gender was predominant (65.9 percent), with mean age of 15.63 yrs and average schooling of 3.39 yrs. The most frequent diagnoses were phonological disorder (24.5 percent) and stuttering (12.3 percent). Despite no statistical correlation between referrals and multidisciplinary treatments, there was a significant correlation among specialties referrals and treatments. CONCLUSION: The population with language disorders was highly heterogeneous and the most frequent disorders can be avoided through simple preventive actions in Speech-Language Pathology.

Aspectos neurobiológicos da linguagem / Neurobiologic aspects of language

Objetivo: Revisar aspectos neurobiológicos da linguagem, visando auxiliar o fonoaudiólogo na investigação e reabilitação de linguagem em pacientes com doenças neurológicas, especialmente com epilepsia. Metodologia: Revisão da literatura a respeito da linguagem e seus aspectos neurobiológicos relacionados à dominância cerebral, dominância manual, plasticidade neuronal e epilepsia. Conclusões: O entendimento de aspectos neurobiológicos da linguagem é bastante complexo. O estudo da epilepsia pode contribuir com informações importantes para a compreensão dos mecanismos de desenvolvimento e funcionamento motor, cognitivo e emocional do cérebro humano.