Aphasia rehabilitation can target writing

5.11 Aphasia rehabilitation can target writing at the:
● word level
● sentence level
● above-sentence level.

References: Biddau et al., 2023: Systematic review of 11 SCEDs; Brady et al., 2016: Cochrane review; Krajenbrink et al., 2015: Review of 40 studies); Thiel et al., 2015: Systematic review of 62 studies (31 single-case studies, 28 multiple case studies, 3 group studies)

NHMRC Level of Evidence: Word level: I; Sentence/above: IV

Rationale: Aphasia therapy for spelling and/or writing has been found to be effective (Brady et al., 2016).

Research has mostly focused on treating writing at the word level. Treatment at this level usually consists of (a combination of) therapy that (Krajenbrink et al., 2015):
● focuses on whole-word spelling (e.g., (delayed) copying of the target word), and
● aims to strengthen/reteach phoneme-grapheme conversion (sublexical therapy).

References:

1. Biddau, F., Brisotto, C., Innocenti, T., Ranaldi, S., Meneghello, F., D’Imperio, D., & Nordio, S. (2023). Speech and language therapy for acquired central dysgraphia in neurological patients: A systematic review to describe and identify trainings for clinical practice. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 32(2), 762-785. DOI: 10.1044/2022_AJSLP-22-00042.
2. Brady, M.C., Kelly, H., Godwin, J., Enderby, P., & Campbell, P. (2016). Speech and language therapy for aphasia following stroke. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 6(6). DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd000425.pub4
3. Krajenbrink, T., Nickels, L., & Kohnen, S. (2015). Generalisation after treatment of acquired spelling impairments: A review. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 25(4), 503-554. DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2014.983135
4. Thiel, L., Sage. K., & Conroy, P. (2015). Retraining writing for functional purposes: A review of the writing therapy literature. Aphasiology, 29(4), 423-441. DOI: 10.1080/02687038.2014.965059