Charite – University Medicine Berlin Reports Findings in Language Therapy (Guideline adherence in speech and language therapy in stroke aftercare. A health insurance claims data analysis): Rehabilitation of Speech and Language Disorders – Language Therapy

2022 FEB 10 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- New research on Rehabilitation of Speech and Language Disorders - Language Therapy is the subject of a report. According to news reporting out of Berlin, Germany, by NewsRx editors, research stated, “Impairments to comprehension and production of speech (aphasia, dysarthria) and swallowing disorders (dysphagia) are common sequelae of stroke, reducing patients’ quality of life and social participation. Treatment oriented on evidence-based guidelines seems likely to improve outcomes.”

Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research from Charite - University Medicine Berlin, “Currently, little is known about guideline adherence in stroke aftercare for the above-mentioned sequelae. This study aims to analyse guideline adherence in the treatment of aphasia, dysarthria and dysphagia after stroke, based on suitable test parameters, and to determine factors that influence the implementation of recommended therapies. Six test parameters were defined, based on systematic study of guidelines for the treatment of speech impairments and swallowing disorders (e.g. comprehensive diagnostics, early initiation and continuity). Guideline adherence in treatment was tested using claims data from four statutory health insurance companies. Multivariate logistic and linear regression analyses were performed in order to test the outcomes. 4,486 stroke patients who were diagnosed with specific disorders or received speech therapy were included in the study. The median age was 78 years; the proportion of women was 55.9%. Within the first year after the stroke, 90.3% of patients were diagnosed with speech impairments and swallowing disorders. Overall, 44.1% of patients received outpatient speech and language therapy aftercare. Women were less frequently diagnosed with specific disorders (OR 0.70 [95%CI:0.55/0.88], p = 0.003) and less frequently received longer therapy sessions (OR 0.64 [95%CI:0.43/0.94], p = 0.022). Older age and longer hospitalization duration increased the likelihood of guideline recommendations being implemented and of earlier initiation of stroke aftercare measures. Our observations indicate deficits in the implementation of guideline recommendations in stroke aftercare.”

According to the news editors, the research concluded: “At the same time, they underscore the need for regular monitoring of implementation measures in stroke aftercare to address group-based disparities in care.”

For more information on this research see: Guideline adherence in speech and language therapy in stroke aftercare. A health insurance claims data analysis. PLoS ONE, 2022;17(2). PLoS ONE can be contacted at: Public Library Science, 1160 Battery Street, Ste 100, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA. (Public Library of Science - www.plos.org; PLoS ONE - www.plosone.org)

Our news journalists report that additional information may be obtained by contacting Lena Mandl, Institute of Medical Sociology and Rehabilitation Science, Charite University Hospital and School of Medicine, Freie Universitat Berlin and Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany. Additional authors for this research include Daniel Schindel, Ralph Schilling, Andreas Meisel and Liane Schenk.

Publisher contact information for the journal PLoS ONE is: Public Library Science, 1160 Battery Street, Ste 100, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA.

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