The utility of arm and hand gestures in the treatment of aphasia

Abstract

People with aphasia frequently rely on communicative “devices” other than their impaired language system. This article focuses on arm and hand gesture as one such “device” or modality. Speech-language pathologists face the daily challenge of clinical reasoning choices and management plan decisions for selecting and advising about therapeutic methods and modalities for a wide range of people with aphasia. This article aims to synthesize the relevant information about gesture in aphasia that is otherwise published in a disparate range of sources or with less clinical and more theoretical goals in mind. A description of the types of arm and hand gestures commonly seen in humans and a summary of the debate surrounding their origins and functions is provided as background information. Recent models of gesture production are explored, especially as they relate to the interaction between gesture, speech and language, and to the use of gesture as a therapeutic option in aphasia rehabilitation. The latter also involves understanding the role of limb apraxia in gesture production and gesture-based therapies. Research detailing the gesture abilities of people with aphasia (both receptive and expressive) is reviewed and finally the evidence concerning gesture as a therapeutic agent in aphasia therapy is critiqued.

Keywords:

• Gesture
• aphasia treatment
• limb apraxia
• speech/gesture model