From the Guidelines
Approximately 21-38% of patients with minor stroke require follow-up by speech therapy in the acute phase of the stroke, as aphasia is a common consequence of stroke and its presence is associated with decreased response to rehabilitation interventions and increased risk for mortality. This percentage varies depending on the specific location and extent of the stroke, even within the category of "minor" strokes. Speech therapy evaluation is particularly important for patients who demonstrate any signs of aphasia, dysarthria, or dysphagia following their stroke event, as early intervention with speech therapy can significantly improve outcomes by addressing communication difficulties and swallowing problems before they become more established 1. The need for speech therapy relates to the neurological pathways affected by the stroke, particularly those in the left hemisphere of the brain which typically controls language functions. Even minor strokes affecting these areas can produce subtle language or swallowing deficits that benefit from professional assessment and rehabilitation. Some key points to consider when evaluating the need for speech therapy in patients with minor stroke include:
- The presence of aphasia, which is defined as a disorder of language resulting in the loss of ability to communicate orally, through signs, or in writing, or the inability to understand such communications 1
- The importance of early intervention with speech therapy to improve language and broader recovery outcomes 1
- The need to screen patients for communication and swallowing difficulties within 24-48 hours of stroke onset to determine the need for speech therapy intervention
- The use of clinical performance measures, such as those outlined by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, to assess the quality of care provided to patients with stroke, including the percentage of people with stroke who receive speech-language therapy (SLT) during inpatient or outpatient care 1.
From the Research
Speech Therapy Follow-up for Minor Stroke Patients
- The provided studies do not directly address the percentage of patients with minor stroke who require follow-up by speech therapy in the acute phase of the stroke.
- However, the studies suggest that speech and language therapy can be beneficial for patients with aphasia or other communication disorders resulting from stroke 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- A study published in 2022 found that patients who received early clinical speech and language therapy had better long-term speech outcomes than those who did not receive early therapy 6.
- The studies emphasize the importance of early intervention and the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies to support patients with communication disorders resulting from stroke 2, 3, 4, 5.
- While the studies do not provide a specific percentage of patients who require follow-up by speech therapy, they suggest that speech and language therapy can be an important part of the rehabilitation process for patients with stroke-related communication disorders.