How Does Speech Therapy Help With Concussion Recovery?

Patients are often confused when referred to meet with a speech-language pathologist (SLP) after sustaining a concussion. As clinicians, we hear it all the time: “Why do I need speech therapy? My speech is fine.” It is not well-known that speech therapists have a wide scope of practice and can assist with much more than simply talking.

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), or concussion, has been referred to as a ‘silent epidemic.” Concussions account for 75% of the more than 1.7 million TBI cases occurring in the United States every year. Symptoms such as headache, dizziness, fatigue, irritability, insomnia, and decreased tolerance for noise and light may result from metabolic or neurological changes throughout the brain.

Lesser-known complications include cognitive and communication deficits. For example, language deficits may include skills such as naming (word-finding) and verbal fluency. In conversation, patients can display difficulty transitioning between topics and using clear referents. Even auditory processing can be impacted. Cognitive impairments often include deficits in attention, working memory, delayed recall, and executive functioning or problem-solving.

SLP’s are recognized as one of the specialized groups of professionals trained to care for patients with a concussion. They often provide care as part of an interdisciplinary team by assessing and treating cognitive communicative disorders, identifying symptoms, making referrals, and providing support and encouragement.

Speech-language therapy treatment is aimed at “reducing the impairment and increasing participation.” Treatment approaches are based on neuroplasticity and include direct training of cognitive-communication skills such as attention, working memory, processing speed, executive functioning and word-finding through a high rate of practice.

Cognitive strategy training may also support patients with a mild traumatic brain injury by helping them to develop internal strategies, use assistive technology, or implement appropriate environmental modifications. Further, speech-language pathologists can train task or process-specific strategies such as goal management training, structured problem solving, or verbal rehearsal to both school-aged and adult clients.

In the concussion program at Sheltering Arms, speech services begin with a clinical interview and thorough assessment of memory, attention, and language to identify any impairments. Then, our SLP’s work closely with each patient to develop an individualized plan of care that focuses on patient goals—whether it be improving grades in school or returning to work. In every case, treatment sessions are designed to optimize patient outcomes for a successful return to daily tasks.


Resources:

  • American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2016). Scope of practice in speech-language pathology. Retrieved from http://www.asha.org/policy/
  • Bialunska, A., & Salvatore, A. (2017). What’s going on with auditory comprehension after sport-related concussion? Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 98(10), e22.  
  • Biddle, K. R., McCabe, A., & Bliss, L. S. (1996). Narrative skills following traumatic brain injury in children and adults. Journal of Communication Disorders, 29(6), 447-469. 
  • Brown, J., O’Brien, K., Knollman-Porter, K., & Wallace, T. (2019). The speech-language pathologists’ role in mild traumatic brain injury for middle and high school-age children: Viewpoints on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 28, 1363-1370.  
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Report to Congress on Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States: Epidemiology and Rehabilitation. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control; Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention. Atlanta, GA.  
  • Mittenberg, W., & Strauman, S. (2000). Diagnosis of mild head injury and the postconcussion syndrome. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 15(2), 783-791.  
  • Sohlberg, M. M., & Mateer, C. A. (2001). Cognitive rehabilitation: An integrative neuropsychological approach. New York, NY: Guilford. 
  • Stockbridge, M. D., Doran, A., King, K., & Newman, R. S. (2018). The effects of concussion on rapid picture naming in children. Brain Injury, 32(4), 506-514.  
  • Vander Werff, K. R., & Rieger, B. (2019). Auditory and cognitive behavioral performance deficits and symptom reporting in postconcussion syndrome following mild traumatic brain injury. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 62, 2501-2518.  

Share This Post:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
RehaBlog

More Posts

Clinical research scientist

Five Reasons to Participate in Research

During my participation in a clinical trial, I was able to learn first-hand about the process surrounding medical discoveries. I also gained an understanding of how to advocate for my health and learned to ask more questions about the risks involved in different medical treatments. Participation in research was incredibly beneficial to me personally. To help you learn more about research participation, we’ve compiled a list of 5 reasons to participate in research.

How to Measure Exercise Intensity

Target heart rate (HR) is a great way to measure exercise intensity to get the most out of your workout. For most people, it provides an accurate way to measure the safety of an activity in relation to the percentage of your maximum heart rate. However, for some people, because of several medications that regulate HR (such beta blockers) or the availability to acquire a device that monitors HR, using HR alone to measure exercise intensity can be challenging.

How to Maximize Physical Therapy Visits from Insurance

As a new year begins, so do new health insurance deductibles and benefits. It’s important to be aware of your healthcare expenses to plan for the year ahead. For those seeking physical rehabilitation services, including physical therapy, it’s important to remember that health insurance may not cover unlimited sessions. Understanding how to make the most of your visits covered by insurance is key to maximizing your benefits. Read on to learn how you can get the most out of your therapy visits while extending the time spent on your recovery to achieve your goals.

Tips To Cure Winter Boredom

It’s common to feel bored during the winter months when you’re spending more time indoors and routines shift. However, there are plenty of ways to stay engaged and have fun at home. From boosting mental sharpness to connecting with others, these activities can help turn boredom into an opportunity for growth and enjoyment.

Start your Journey

Learn more about Sheltering Arms Institute

Contact a specialist at Sheltering Arms Institute to learn more about how you can gain more freedom in your everyday life.