A study of factors affecting the communication ability of aphasics

Abstract

Standard Language Test of Aphasia (SLTA) may not represent sufficiently about communication ability of aphasic patients. Therefore authors studied factors affecting the communication ability of aphasic patients. Subjects were 66 aphasic patients treated in the Department of Communication Clinic, Atami General Hospital. These patients were divided into 2 groups; good communication (41 cases) and bad communication groups (25 cases) according to the result of communication ability test. Factors affecting the communication ability are then examined by quantitative analysic class 2. Nine factors, severity of aphasia, self-modification in speech, memorization disorder, disturbance of volition ability, the time elapsed since onset, disturbance of concentration and continuation ability, depressive state, shyness, positiveness are revealed to be greatly affecting the communication ability of aphasic patients. © 1990, The Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Society of Japan, Inc. All rights reserved.