Adequacy of clinical protocol for patient with global aphasia and dysarthria as stroke sequel

Abstract

There are several techniques and protocols for the treatment and rehabilitation of speech and language in Neurological Music Therapy, however, none of them is specific to treat the different types of aphasia that exist and their particularities. The clinical music therapist needs, then, to seek effective and scientifically based means to conduct and qualify the service. This work presents a clinical protocol based on Melodic Intonation Therapy, adapted for an elderly patient with global aphasia. This is a case study, with a qualitative and methodological approach. It is presented from the treatment performed with a patient diagnosed with global aphasia and dysarthria due to a sequela of fronto-temporo-parietal stroke, which occurred 1 year and 6 months before the beginning of the music therapy treatment. Patient X showed a favorable and effective evolution in his diagnosis, such as improvement in word articulation and understanding of sentences, attempt at spoken communication.