Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with speech training in the treatment of aphasia after cerebral infarction

ObjectiveTo study the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation(tDCS) combined with speech training in the treatment of aphasia after cerebral infarction.

MethodsA total of 100 patients with aphasia after cerebral infarction were randomly divided into the regular group and combined group(50 cases in each group).The speech training in regular group was implemented, and the tDCS combined speech training in combined group was implemented.The western aphasia battery(WAB) score, daily life communication skills scale(CADL) score, mini-mental state examination scale(MMSE) score and picture naming test results were compared bewteen two groups before and after the intervention.

ResultsThe total effective rate in combined group(94.00%) was significantly higher than that in regular group(74.00%) (P＜0.01).Before intervention, the differences of the WAB score, CADL score, MMSE score and results of picture naming test between two groups were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).After intervention, the WAB score, CADL score and MMSE score in combined group were higher than those in regular group(P＜0.05 to P＜0.01), and the correct number of training pictures and untraining pictures in combined group were more than that in regular group(P＜0.01).

ConclusionsThe tDCS combined with speech training can improve the severity of aphasia patients after cerebral infarction, their speech function, daily communication ability, cognitive function, activate and coordinate the brain neural network system and patient′s generalization effect and curing effect.