TITLE:
Prognostic Factors in Vascular Motor Aphasia after Music Therapy
AUTHORS:
Jouonang Teugang Annick-Sandra, Diagne Ngor Side, Niakam Mbouleup Falonne Tiffany, Tsemo Yimta Grace Maïva, Badiane Jacky, Ngoule Mark Olivier, Mondomobe Atchom Alex Cyril, Tonga Emmanuel Mylène, Bangweni Claude Bernard, Mundih Njohjam Noelar, Diop Sène Marieme Soda, Ndiaye Moustapha, Diop Amadou Gallo
KEYWORDS:
Aphasia, Music Therapy, Stroke
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation,
Vol.13 No.2,
May
12,
2025
ABSTRACT: Aphasia is a language disorder linked to brain damage or dysfunction, characterized by difficulties in expression and/or comprehension. Aphasia is common after a stroke and may require lengthy, costly, and sometimes inappropriate treatments, which can hinder the patient’s socio-professional life. The use of self-administered rehabilitation methods, such as music therapy, could improve the functional outcomes of aphasic patients. Objectives: To determine the prognostic factors of post-stroke motor aphasia treated with music therapy. Methodology: This was a prospective, multicenter cohort study involving patients with verbal expression disorders of vascular origin, without a history of motor aphasia or cognitive disorders prior to the stroke. Aphasia was assessed using the Language screening test (LAST). Patients were randomly divided into three groups: GBI1 (speech therapy), GBI2 (music therapy), and GNBI (no rehabilitation). Therapeutic sessions were conducted for up to 3 months for the intervention groups, with assessments made at admission, at month 1 (M1), and at month 3 (M3). Results: A total of 55 patients were included, predominantly male, with an average age of 61 years. Broca’s aphasia accounted for 2 out of every 5 patients in the study population. The mean LAST scores at 1 month were 8.7 for GBI1, compared to 11.4 for GBI2 and 6.3 for GNBI. At 3 months, the scores were 10.55, 13.4, and 6, respectively. The prognostic factors for vascular motor aphasia treated with music therapy included the musical environment (p = 0.012), the type of stroke (p = 0.006), and the automatic series (p = 0.009). These factors were associated with the LAST score dimensions of naming, repetition, and automatic series. Conclusion: Music therapy improves aphasia of vascular origin.