Investigation of speech and language therapy and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatment efficiency on patients with nonfluent aphasia

The study was aimed to reveal which of the Speech and Language Therapy (SLT), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy and consecutive SLT+TMS applications are more effective in the treatment of individuals with Broca Aphasia to improve their language skills and quality of life. The pre-test, post-test and follow-up test design with a control group was adopted from experimental patterns of quantitative research methods was used. A total of 40 individuals with Broca Aphasia were included in the study. The participants were divided into Application-1 (SLT), Application-2 (TMS), Application-3 (consecutive SLT and TMS), and Application-4 (Control Group) experimental application groups with 10 participants in each group. Inhibitory (1 Hz low-frequency) repeated TMS application was applied to the contralateral hemisphere F8 area which is homologue of Broca in 20 min., 1500 pulse and %110 of motor threshold (MT). Also, the Semantic Features Analysis (SFA) was used within the scope of the Speech and Language Therapy. The findings show that TMS is found more effective in improving the communication, speech and language skills of individuals with Broca Aphasia when used consecutively with SLT; and that TMS can be used in the treatment of individuals with Broca Aphasia. Also, the present study revealed that the TMS may increase the effect of SLT application in the treatment of individuals with Broca Aphasia. Keywords: Broca aphasia, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), Speech and Language Therapy (SLT), Speech and language skills, Quality of life.