Post-stroke aphasia management – from classical approaches to modern therapies

Abstract

Post-stroke aphasia is an important topic in clinical rehabilitation neurology, affecting a significant number of stroke patients worldwide each year. Although the anatomical basis of aphasia has been explored for over a century, a revision of disease classification has led to a broader understanding of the subject and has stimulated the field of drug development to yield novel therapies. In this context, the authors commence the current narrative review by presenting the widely accepted aphasia classifications and the corresponding management practices. Subsequently, speech-language therapies are presented, with a focus on the widely preferred patient-centered approach. We conclude with a brief discussion regarding adjunctive treatment options such as pharmacological intervention, non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, and virtual reality rehabilitation.