Date Available

6-14-2018

Year of Publication

2018

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Document Type

Doctoral Dissertation

College

Health Sciences

Department/School/Program

Rehabilitation Sciences

First Advisor

Dr. Robert Marshall

Second Advisor

Dr. Janice Kuperstein

Abstract

Speech and language impairments after left hemisphere stroke are life altering. Neuroprotective interventions, such as tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA, are utilized to diminish the impact of the stroke on functional ability.

The purpose of this study was to examine speech and language recovery in the first three months after stroke in individuals with aphasia and to further investigate any differences between individuals who did and individuals who did not receive tPA, using objective speech and language measures.

Twenty-six individuals, thirteen of whom received tPA and thirteen who did not, suffering from first-ever left hemisphere stroke with resulting aphasia were enrolled and completed repeated speech and language assessments within 24 hours after stroke, at one and two weeks after stroke. A three month assessment also included an additional quality of life measure.

Findings indicate that both individuals who did and those who did not receive tPA demonstrated significant gains in language skills. Results also suggest that the individuals who received tPA have better outcomes at three months compared to those who did not. This is clinically significant as it helps provide prognostic information about the use of tPA and informs decision making for speech pathologists within the acute care hospital.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2018.251

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