Management of Aphasia: An Early Investigation Survey

Abstract

Background: Aphasia is one of problems needing special attention in assessment and intervention actions. Speech therapists in Indonesia are faced with aphasia intervention challenge with bilingual condition. Exploring data on the management of aphasia is needed to identify the management of aphasia. Exploring types of aphasia, aphasia problem, and aphasia case load in each of speech therapy service types is also necessary. This study aims to reveal the data on demography of aphasia management consisting of case load, action flow fulfilment, aphasia type and variation and language problem, and action in bilingual aphasia.  Method: This survey used an instrument with a total of 74 questions. The survey was distributed to certified speech therapists spread in 10 provinces. The survey was completed online. Data was analyzed in accordance with the context of descriptive data and inference. Result: A total of 38 certified therapists have filled in the data completely. On average, 1-5 aphasia patients make visits per day (M=1.26, SD= 1.08), 1-30 patients make visit per week (M= 1.26, SD= 1.08), duration of intervention for aphasia patient is 30-60 minutes (M= 31.58, SD= 17.90), and aphasia intervention frequency is 1-5 per weeks (M= 1.13, SD= 1.69). Global aphasia is the one with highest number (M= 17.24, SD= 51.28), while primary progressive aphasia is the one with the lowest  number (M= 2.63, SD= 7.18). Anomia is the problem found most widely by therapist (N= 26, 68.42%). Telepractice is the least implemented service (M= 1.18). The language ability least likely being the objective of assessment is pragmatic. In relation to the procedure for bilingual patients, the involvement of professional translator is still limited.        Conclusion: This study found data on varying management. There is important information in case load of aphasia management. The information on problem variation and aphasia type can be used as the material to be considered in further study. Action flow, assessment objective, and aphasia service in bilingual context need further exploration.