Aphasia Therapy Finder – a Practical Guide to Aphasia Therapy

Česká verze

Authors: Benko Tomáš ⁵ ; Cséfalvay Zsolt ¹ ; Kevická Čiernik Viktória ^1,6,7
Authors place of work: Univerzita Komenského v Bratislave, Pedagogická fakulta, Katedra logopédie, Šoltésovej 4, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovenská republika- E-mail: benko71@uniba. sk. ¹; Ústav informatiky SAV, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 07 Bratislava, Slovenská republika. ²; Centrum MEMORY n. o., Mlynarovičova 2571/21, 851 03 Bratislava, Slovenská republika. ³
Published in the journal: Listy klinické logopedie 2026; 10(1): 24-32
Category: Varia
doi: https://doi.org/10.36833/lkl.2026.005

Summary

Currently, there is justified scepticism about the effectiveness of speech-language therapy for aphasia, rooted in a historical lack of empirical evidence. In the past, it was commonly believed that after a certain period, typically six months post-lesion, substantial recovery of language and speech abilities was unlikely. However, recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses show that targeted, theory-driven, intensive and long-term therapy yields significant improvements in naming, comprehension, reading, writing and functional communication, including in the chronic stage of aphasia. Key determinants of effectiveness are timing of treatment onset, session intensity and frequency, total therapy hours and engagement in home practice; telerehabilitation is a feasible alternative when resources are limited. In everyday clinical settings, staffing and time constraints, insufficient knowledge and a lack of comprehensive therapeutic materials often lead to provision of insufficiently intensive, “homeopathic” doses of therapy. We present the Aphasia Therapy Finder (ATF) as a dynamic guidance framework and freely accessible database that systematically maps intervention approaches, their goals and levels of evidence, while providing practical protocols, implementation guides and materials. We recommend using ATF as a practical tool for selecting evidence-based interventions: it expands therapeutic options, addresses the needs of clinicians and patients, and supports higher-quality, more individualised aphasia rehabilitation.

Keywords:

aphasia, speech-language therapy, evidence-based treatment, telerehabilitation, therapy intensity, functional communication

Zdroje

APHASIA SOFTWARE FINDER, bez dátumu. Home. Online. Dostupné na: Home | Aphasia Software Finder. [citované 2026-02-20].

BASSO, A., 2003. Aphasia and Its Therapy. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-513587-9.

BHOGAL, S. K., TEASELL, R. a SPEECHLEY, M., 2003. Intensity of Aphasia Therapy, Impact on Recovery. Online. Stroke, vol. 34, no. 4, s. 987-993. DOI: 10.1161/01.STR.0000062343.64383.D0. Dostupné na: Intensity of Aphasia Therapy, Impact on Recovery | Stroke.

BRADY, M. C., KELLY, H., GODWIN, J., ENDERBY, P. a CAMPBELL, P., 2016. Speech and language therapy for aphasia following stroke. Online. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, vol. 2016, no. 6. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000425.pub4. Dostupné na: Speech and language therapy for aphasia following stroke -⁠ Brady, MC -⁠ 2016 | Cochrane Library.

CACCIANTE, L., KIPER, P., GARZON, M., BALDAN, F., FEDERICO, S., TUROLLA, A. a AGOSTINI, M., 2021. Telerehabilitation for people with aphasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Online. Journal of Communication Disorders, vol. 92, s. 106111. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcomdis.2021.106111. Dostupné na: Telerehabilitation for people with aphasia: A systematic review and meta-analysis -⁠ ScienceDirect.

CASSIDY, J. M. a CRAMER, S. C., 2017. Spontaneous and Therapeutic-Induced Mechanisms of Functional Recovery After Stroke. Online. Translational Stroke Research, vol. 8, no. 1, s. 33-46. DOI: 10.1007/s12975-016-0467-5. Dostupné na: Spontaneous and Therapeutic-Induced Mechanisms of Functional Recovery After Stroke | Translational Stroke Research | Springer Nature Link.

CSÉFALVAY, Z. et al., 2007. Terapie afázie: teorie a případové studie. Praha: Portál. ISBN 9788073673161.

CSÉFALVAY, Z., EGRYOVÁ, M. a WIEDERMANN, I., 2018. Logopedická diagnostika afázie, alexie a agrafie. 2., prepracované vydanie s testom a normami. Bratislava: Vydavateľstvo EOS. ISBN 9788097199227.

CSÉFALVAY, Z., MARKOVÁ, J., WIEDERMANN, I. a EGRYOVÁ, M., 2018. Logopedická terapia afázie, alexie a agrafie. 2. vyd. Bratislava: EOS Slovakia. ISBN 978-80-971992-3-4.

CSÉFALVAY, Z., MARKOVÁ, J. a ČIERNIK KEVICKÁ, V., 2025. Klinická afaziológia. Bratislava: Univerzita Komenského v Bratislave. ISBN 978-80-223-5933-7.

DIGNAM, J. K., HARVEY, S., MONNELLY, K., DIPPER, L., HOOVER, E., KIRMESS, M., MOHR, B., VISCH-BRINK, E., WALLACE, S. E. a ROSE, M. L., 2024. Development of an evidence-based aphasia therapy implementation tool: an international survey of speech pathologists’ access to and use of aphasia therapy resources. Online. Aphasiology, vol. 38, no. 6, s. 1051-1068. DOI: 10.1080/02687038.2023.2253994. Dostupné na: Full article: Development of an evidence-based aphasia therapy implementation tool: an international survey of speech pathologists’ access to and use of aphasia therapy resources.

HALL, N., BOISVERT, M. a STEELE, R., 2013. Telepractice in the assessment and treatment of individuals with aphasia: a systematic review. Online. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, vol. 5, no. 1, s. 27-38. DOI: 10.5195/ijt.2013.6119. Dostupné na: (PDF) Telepractice in the Assessment and Treatment of Individuals with Aphasia: A Systematic Review.

HARO-MARTÍNEZ, A., PÉREZ-ARAUJO, C. M., SANCHEZ-CARO, J. M., FUENTES, B. a DÍEZ-TEJEDOR, E., 2021. Melodic Intonation Therapy for Post-stroke Non-fluent Aphasia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Online. Frontiers in Neurology, vol. 12, s. 700115. DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.700115. Dostupné na: Frontiers | Melodic Intonation Therapy for Post-stroke Non-fluent Aphasia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

HUBBARD, H. I., NELSON L. a RICHARDSON J. D., 2020. Can Script Training Improve Narrative and Conversation in Aphasia across Etiology? Online. Seminars in Speech and Language, vol. 41, no. 1, s. 99-124. DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-3401030. Dostupné na: Can Script Training Improve Narrative and Conversation in Aphasia across Etiology? | Semantic Scholar.

CHERNEY, L. a VAN VUUREN S., 2012. Telerehabilitation, Virtual Therapists, and Acquired Neurologic Speech and Language Disorders. Online. Seminars in Speech and Language, vol. 33, no. 3, s. 243-258. DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1320044. Dostupné na: Telerehabilitation, virtual therapists, and acquired neurologic speech and language disorders -⁠ PubMed.

KENDALL, D. L., MOLDESTAD, M. O., ALLEN, W., TORRENCE, J. a NADEAU S. E., 2019. Phonomotor Versus Semantic Feature Analysis Treatment for Anomia in 58 Persons With Aphasia: a Randomized Controlled Trial. Online. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, vol. 62, no. 12, s. 4464-4482. DOI: 10.1044/2019_JSLHR-L-18-0257. Dostupné na: Phonomotor Versus Semantic Feature Analysis Treatment for Anomia in 58 Persons With Aphasia: A Randomized Controlled Trial | Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research.

NATIONAL HEALTH AND MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL, 2009. NHMRC additional levels of evidence and grades for recommendations: Stage 2 consultation. Online. Canberra: National Health and Medical Research Council. Dostupné na: NHMRC additional levels of evidence and grades for recommendations STAGE 2 CONSULTATION.

PALMER, R., HILARI, K., MAGDALANI, C., COSTER, J., BEEKE, S., GIBBS, E., WITTS, H., SUDWORTH, K., JAGOE, C. a CRUICE, M., 2025. Aphasia partnership training: What outcomes do people with aphasia, family members and speech and language therapists expect? Online. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, vol. 60, no. 2, s. e70015. DOI: 10.1111/1460-6984.70015. Dostupné na: Aphasia partnership training: What outcomes do people with aphasia, family members and speech and language therapists expect? -⁠ Palmer -⁠ 2025 -⁠ International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders -⁠ Wiley Online Library.

RELEASE Collaborators, 2022. Dosage, Intensity, and Frequency of Language Therapy for Aphasia: A Systematic Review Based, Individual Participant Data Network Meta Analysis. Online. Stroke, vol. 53, no. 3, s. 956-967. DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.121.035216. Dostupné na: Dosage, Intensity, and Frequency of Language Therapy for Aphasia: A Systematic Review–Based, Individual Participant Data Network Meta-Analysis | Stroke.

RELEASE Collaborators, 2022. Precision rehabilitation for aphasia by patient age, sex, aphasia severity, and time since stroke? A prespecified, systematic review-based, individual participant data, network, subgroup meta-analysis. Online. International Journal of Stroke, vol. 17, no. 10, s. 1067-1077. DOI: 10.1177/17474930221097477. Dostupné na: brady-et-al-2022-precision-rehabilitation-for-aphasia-by-patient-age-sex-aphasia-severity-and-time-since-stroke-a-2.pdf.

ROBEY, R. R., 1998. A Meta-Analysis of Clinical Outcomes in the Treatment of Aphasia. Online. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, vol. 41, no. 1, s. 172-187. DOI: 10.1044/jslhr.4101.172. Dostupné na: A Meta-Analysis of Clinical Outcomes in the Treatment of Aphasia | Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research.

SAUR, D. et al., 2006. Dynamics of language reorganization after stroke. Online. Brain, vol. 129, no. 6, s. 1371-1384. DOI: 10.1093/brain/awl090. Dostupné na: Dynamics of language reorganization after stroke -⁠ PubMed.

SIMMONS-MACKIE, N., RAYMER, A. a CHERNEY, L. R., 2016. Communication Partner Training in Aphasia: An Updated Systematic Review. Online. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, vol. 97, no. 12, s. 2202-2221.e8. DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2016.03.023. Dostupné na: Communication Partner Training in Aphasia: An Updated Systematic Review | Request PDF.

THE TAVISTOCK TRUST FOR APHASIA, bez dátumu. Collaboration of Aphasia Trialists (CATs). Online. Dostupné na: Collaboration of Aphasia Trialists (CATs) | The Tavistock Trust for Aphasia. [citované 2026-02-20].

WHITWORTH, A., WEBSTER, J. a HOWARD, D., 2005. A Cognitive Neuropsychological Approach to Assessment and Intervention in Aphasia: A Clinician’s Guide. Online. Psychology Press. DOI: 10.4324/9780203493502. Dostupné na: A Cognitive Neuropsychological Approach to Assessment and Intervention in Aphasia: A Clinician's Guide | Request PDF.

YOUMANS, G., HOLLAND, A., MUÑOZ, M. a BOURGEOIS, M., 2005. Script training and automaticity in two individuals with aphasia. Online. Aphasiology, vol. 19, no. 3-5, s. 435-450. DOI: 10.1080/02687030444000877. Dostupné na: (PDF) Script training and automaticity in two individuals with aphasia.