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Has speech and language therapy been shown not to work?

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In a recent trial investigating the effectiveness of speech and language therapy versus a control intervention in poststroke aphasia, patient outcome improved equally in both groups. However, flaws in the study relating to design of the control intervention, inadequate therapy 'dose', and the interpretation of null results should be highlighted.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, 17 Queen Square, London, WC1N 3AR, UK

    Alex P. Leff

  2. Room G12, School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences, King George VI Building, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK

    David Howard

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  1. Alex P. Leff
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  2. David Howard
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Correspondence to Alex P. Leff.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Leff, A., Howard, D. Has speech and language therapy been shown not to work?. Nat Rev Neurol 8, 600–601 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2012.211

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