Tijana Simic1,2,3,4, Elizabeth Rochon1,2,3,4, Elissa Greco1,2, Rosemary Martino1,2,5,6. 1. a Department of Speech-Language Pathology , University of Toronto , Toronto , Canada. 2. b Rehabilitation Sciences Institute , University of Toronto. 3. c Heart and Stroke Foundation, Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery , Ottawa , Canada. 4. d Toronto Rehabilitation Institute , University Health Network , Toronto , Canada. 5. e Krembil Research Institute , Toronto Western Hospital - University Health Network , Toronto , Canada. 6. f Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery , University of Toronto , Toronto , Canada.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To review current evidence on the relationship between executive control (EC) and post-treatment language gains in adults with post-stroke aphasia. METHOD: Electronic databases (CINAHL, Cochrane Trials, Embase, MEDLINE, MEDLINE-in-Process and PsycINFO) were systematically searched (year 2000 - present). Abstracts and full-text articles were reviewed by two independent raters against pre-specified criteria: original research with N > 2; at least 90% adults with stroke, all undergoing treatment for acquired aphasia; pre-treatment EC abilities were compared to language gains post-treatment across studies. Critical appraisal was conducted using the Cochrane group and Single-Case Experimental Design (SCED) methods. Data were extracted and summarised descriptively. RESULTS: Search results yielded 2272 unique citations; ultimately 15 studies were accepted for review. Both pre-treatment EC and language abilities appear to be important indicators of treatment success, especially in moderate-severe aphasia. This relationship emerged when EC was measured using specific (e.g., divided attention), as opposed to broad (e.g., reasoning) tasks, and primarily when naming therapy was administered; intensive constraint-induced therapy did not correlate with treatment success. CONCLUSIONS: EC is a promising prognostic variable regarding language recovery, but further research is required using a-priori declared theoretical EC models, along with properly powered samples, standardised EC tasks and treatment protocols.
PURPOSE: To review current evidence on the relationship between executive control (EC) and post-treatment language gains in adults with post-stroke aphasia. METHOD: Electronic databases (CINAHL, Cochrane Trials, Embase, MEDLINE, MEDLINE-in-Process and PsycINFO) were systematically searched (year 2000 - present). Abstracts and full-text articles were reviewed by two independent raters against pre-specified criteria: original research with N > 2; at least 90% adults with stroke, all undergoing treatment for acquired aphasia; pre-treatment EC abilities were compared to language gains post-treatment across studies. Critical appraisal was conducted using the Cochrane group and Single-Case Experimental Design (SCED) methods. Data were extracted and summarised descriptively. RESULTS: Search results yielded 2272 unique citations; ultimately 15 studies were accepted for review. Both pre-treatment EC and language abilities appear to be important indicators of treatment success, especially in moderate-severe aphasia. This relationship emerged when EC was measured using specific (e.g., divided attention), as opposed to broad (e.g., reasoning) tasks, and primarily when naming therapy was administered; intensive constraint-induced therapy did not correlate with treatment success. CONCLUSIONS: EC is a promising prognostic variable regarding language recovery, but further research is required using a-priori declared theoretical EC models, along with properly powered samples, standardised EC tasks and treatment protocols.