Abstract
Background
Aphasia is a common complication after stroke, and traditional speech or language therapy has a limited effect on post-stroke aphasia. This randomized, controlled, open-label study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of intensive speech and language therapy together with memantine on speech and cognitive function in patients with non-fluent aphasia after stroke.
Methods
Fifty post stroke non-fluent aphasia patients with unilateral left hemispheric infarction or hemorrhage were recruited and randomly divided into speech language therapy (SLT) group or Memantine group. The SLT group will receive only SLT treatment and placebo, while Memantine group will receive memantine combined with SLT treatment. Primary outcome measure will include the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB)-Aphasia Quotient from baseline to endpoint, Secondary outcomes measure will include Mini-Mental State Examination score. Assessment data were collected at baseline, Week4(Visit 1), Week 8 (Visit 2), Week 12 (Visit 3), and Week 16 (Visit 4).
Results
On the basis of consistent baseline data, the language function of the two groups improved after treatment (p < 0.001). Compared with the control group, the memantine group had significant benefits in auditory comprehension-AQ at week 4 (p = 0.04), WAB-AQ (p = 0.04) and spontaneous speech-AQ(p = 0.006) at week 8, WAB-AQ(p = 0.01) and spontaneous speech-AQ(p < 0.001), auditory comprehension-AQ(p = 0.03) at week 12, WAB-AQ (p = 0.01) and spontaneous speech-AQ(p < 0.001), auditory comprehension-AQ(p = 0.04) at week 16. The increase in the change of MMSE scores was higher in Memantine group at week 8 (p = 0.04) and week 12(p = 0.048).
Conclusion
Memantine combined with SLT are useful for improving non-fluency aphasia after stroke, especially spontaneous speech and auditory comprehension. Cognitive function has also improved.
Trial registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov ; TRN: NCT00196703;