How Speech Therapy Helps with Brain Recovery
Speech-Language Pathology (SLP)
It is commonly understood that Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) assist children during the developmental stages of speech, but SLPs work with patients of all ages, including adults who have experienced a brain injury resulting in aphasia.
Speech-Language Pathology can play a critical role in the brain recovery process, but it is often overlooked as a treatment priority for recent stroke and traumatic brain injury patients. Focused attention on language recovery ultimately enables patients to regain control of quintessential functions, such as the ability to communicate, the freedom of self expression, and the inclination to connect on a human level.
Forms of SLP Therapy
There are two main forms of Speech-Language Pathology therapy: restorative and compensatory.
- Restorative therapy involves focusing on muscle strengthening, speech-swallowing coordination, and improving neuronal connections that are necessary for linguistic tasks that require cognitive effort.
- Compensatory therapy includes offering support for actions like speaking, swallowing, and language with the implementation of strategies to improve overall lifestyles.
These two approaches have a few underlying commonalities, which are to help patients increase speaking volume, strengthen or coordinate oral muscle movement, enhance patient memory, and improve organization and problem-solving skills.
The Intersection of SLP and Brain Recovery
Combining Speech-Language Pathology and brain recovery in an interdisciplinary framework that merges clinical practice with neuroscience research benefits aphasia patients by assisting in the recovery of their language and communication skills while leveraging the principles of neuroplasticity. This emphasizes the importance of approaching cases in a holistic manner, as it allows for the most effective and accurate specialization for patients.
In research, interdisciplinary work has been made a priority. It creates space for a deeper understanding and a continuous development of knowledge: how to treat, cure, and prevent certain neurological disorders. In-depth research benefits both clinicians and patients by providing an abundant background on relevant topics.
CBR’s Commitment to SLP Interventions in Research
The Boston University Center for Brain Recovery (CBR) works to advance analytical research on neurological disorders and facilitate patient recovery to improve the quality of life for survivors of brain injury. CBR is also dedicated to training students at varying degree levels (undergraduate, master’s, PhD), preparing them to become the next generation of clinicians and neuroscientists.
Last year, there were several notable publications worked on by the Center for Brain Recovery’s researchers, including:
- Evolution of speech errors after complexity-based semantic naming treatment in individuals with aphasia Learn More
- Impaired semantic control in the logopenic variant of primary progressive aphasia Learn More
- Quantifying Dosage in Self-Managed Speech-Language Therapy: Exploring Com ponents of Cumulative Intervention Intensity in a Real-World Mobile Health Data Set Learn More
This research helps to inform patient care, determining better therapy and treatment methods in order to benefit patients and improve their lives. These projects reflect CBR’s commitment to leveraging interdisciplinary approaches within the broader context of neurological recovery. By combining clinical insight, technological innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration, the BU Center for Brain Recovery continues to redefine the boundaries of research and therapy.
If you’d like to learn more about the BU Center for Brain Recovery’s resources, events, and work to improve our understanding of neurological disorders, subscribe to our newsletter. And if you would like to get involved, reach out to us about joining our studies.