Post-stroke aphasia has widespread effects on cognition

Background Post-stroke aphasia is a common and disabling condition. Identifying neuropsychological symptoms associated with aphasia is essential for effective rehabilitation.

Methods In this longitudinal observational study, we assessed the cognitive performance, mood, and quality of life of 100 stroke patients one week and three months after the stroke. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of aphasia.

Results Patients with aphasia (48/100) performed worse than other stroke patients (52/100) in verbal fluency, naming, language comprehension, as well as verbal memory and language-based attention, and working memory tasks in the acute phase (P_FDR = 0.002–0.014). Although partial recovery was observed, differences between the aphasic and non-aphasic groups persisted at three months in naming, language comprehension, and verbal memory as well as language-based attention and working memory tasks (P_FDR = 0.014–0.047). No differences were found between the groups in quality of life or mood.

Conclusions Aphasia is associated with broad neuropsychological deficits that extend into the subacute phase. Rehabilitation should be long-term and multidimensional. Aphasia may influence mood and quality of life only at later stages of recovery.

Salla Hanhela, Teppo Särkämö, Vera Leo, Ilja Salakka, Anni Pitkäniemi, Aleksi J. Sihvonen