Characterizing speech and language pathology outcomes in stroke rehabilitation.

UNLABELLED Hatfield B, Millet D, Coles J, Gassaway J, Conroy B, Smout RJ. Characterizing speech and language pathology outcomes in stroke rehabilitation. OBJECTIVES To describe a subset of speech-language pathology (SLP) patients in the Post-Stroke Rehabilitation Outcomes Project and to examine outcomes for patients with low admission FIM levels of auditory comprehension and verbal expression. DESIGN Observational cohort study. SETTING Five inpatient rehabilitation hospitals. PARTICIPANTS Patients (N=397) receiving post-stroke SLP with admission FIM cognitive components at levels 1 through 5. INTERVENTIONS Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Increase in comprehension and expression FIM scores from admission to discharge. RESULTS Cognitively and linguistically complex SLP activities (problem-solving and executive functioning skills) were associated with greater likelihood of success in low- to mid-level functioning communicators in the acute post-stroke rehabilitation period. CONCLUSIONS The results challenge common clinical practice by suggesting that use of high-level cognitively and linguistically complex SLP activities early in a patient's stay may result in more efficient practice and better outcomes regardless of the patient's functional communication severity level on admission.