Integrative intervention: a new perspective and brief review in aphasia

Abstract

Purpose: While integrative treatment practices have become a popular treatment in different areas of study, its use in the field of aphasiology is still limited. The following paper is an attempt to address the different alternative practices that could potentially be used to remediate aphasia.

Method: A narrative review was completed regarding integrative intervention that could potentially apply to aphasia population.

Results: Through this article we have explored various treatment options for integrative health care in aphasiology. Integrative treatments including brain specific antioxidants, progesterone and estradiol therapy, nutrition, synbiotic treatment, exercise, yoga, meditation and positive mood states have demonstrated positive changes in health and behavior in healthy aging or disorders such as stroke and aphasia. Offering integrative treatment for people with aphasia allows potential for high impact gains when combined with current speech language therapeutic practices.

Conclusion: This paper highlights the rehabilitation possibilities for aphasia therapy. Combining complementary and traditional treatment approaches could be viewed as one of the contemporary approaches to clinical practice and research for practitioners and health care systems.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• There has been very little research that explores the potential of various types of integrative treatment for individuals with aphasia.

• An integrative approach to the treatment of aphasia has potential for future clinical application.

• Combining treatment approaches could be viewed as a viable approach to clinical practice and in the health care system.

Keywords:

• Complementary and alternative medicine
• meditation
• nutrition
• supplements
• holistic
• aphasia

Disclosure statement

The authors report no declarations of interest.