Outcomes of Speech and Language Abilities and Quality of Life in Thai People with Aphasia by Group Therapy

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare before- and after-scores of speech and language abilities, and quality of life of Thai people with aphasia. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Speech Clinic in Ramathibodi Hospital from July 2016 to March 2017. Participants were 11 Thai people with aphasia. They received group therapy for three hours per session, for eight sessions, within three to five months. The measurement of speech and language abilities was assessed using the Thai Adaptation of the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB). The measurement of quality of life was assessed using the Thai version of the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) 3.0. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a paired samples t-test for comparisons of the mean scores before and after group therapy. Results: Of the participants, there were 8 males (72.8%) and 3 females (27.3%) with aphasia. They ranged in age from 27 to 68, with a mean age of 48.55±13.42 years. Results showed that the differences in the improvements of speech and language abilities scores and quality of life scores of these participants after group therapy were significant and higher than their scores before group therapy (p-value<0.01). Conclusion: Group therapy may be an efficient and effective way to rehabilitate the speech and language abilities and quality of life of Thai people with aphasia.

Keywords

• aphasia
• group therapy
• quality of life
• speech and language abilities