Targeted language training combined with transcranial direct current therapy for Wernicke aphasia in the sequelae stage: A case report

Objective

To observe the effects of combining targeted language training with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on speech rehabilitation in senile stroke patients with Wernicke's aphasia in the sequelae stage.

Methods

A patient with Wernicke's aphasia caused by stroke, 15 months prior, was successively treated with regimen A (targeted language training), regimen B (L-Wernicke area tDCS + targeted language training), and regimen C (R-Wernicke area tDCS + targeted language training) for a total of 3 weeks, with a 2-day washout period between each regimen. The accuracy of spontaneous speech, auditory word-picture matching, visual word-picture matching, retelling, graph-reading writing, and graph-reading naming items was evaluated and compared before treatment and 3 weeks after treatment with regimens A, B, and C.

Results

After 3 weeks of the regimen A treatment, there was no significant improvement in each evaluation item. After 3 weeks of treatment with regimen B, the patient's spontaneous speech slightly improved, but the expression remained meaningless. Visual word-graph matching was slightly improved, but auditory word-graph matching was not. After 3 weeks of treatment with regimen C, the spontaneous speech of the patient's increased significantly, and the correct rates of auditory word-graph matching, visual word-graph matching, retelling, and picture reading and writing were significantly improved compared with those before treatment and after 3 weeks of treatment with regimens A and B (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Targeted language training combined with tDCS stimulation of the non-dominant Wernicke's area can improve spontaneous speech, auditory word-picture matching, visual word-picture matching, retelling, and picture reading and writing ability in elderly patients with Wernicke's aphasia after stroke, thus promoting speech rehabilitation.