An Efficient Bedside Measure Yields Prognostic Implications for Language Recovery in Acute Stroke Patients

Background:It is estimated that ∼30% of stroke survivors have aphasia, a language disorder resulting from damage to left-hemisphere language networks. In acute care settings, efficient identification of aphasia is critical, but there is a paucity of efficient bedside assessments.Objective:To determine whether objective measures on a picture description task administered within 48 hours post stroke (a) predict language recovery, (b) estimate left-hemisphere lesion volume and location, and (c) correlate with other bedside language assessments.Method:Behavioral data were scored at acute and chronic time points. Neuroimaging data were used to determine associations between the picture description task, other language assessments, and lesion volume and location.Results:Acute content units, age, and total lesion volume predicted communication recovery; F^3,18= 3.98, P = 0.024; r²= 0.40. Significant correlations were found between the picture description task and lesion volume and location. Picture description outcomes were also associated with other clinical language assessments.Discussion:This picture description task quickly predicted the language performance (communication recovery and outcome) for patients who suffered a left-hemisphere stroke. Picture description task measures correlated with damage in the left hemisphere and with other, more time-consuming and cumbersome language assessments that are typically administered acutely at bedside.Conclusion:The predictive value of this picture description task and correlations with existing language assessments substantiate the clinical importance of a reliable yet rapid bedside measure for acute stroke patients that can be administered by a variety of health care professionals.