RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF TREATMENT OUTCOME FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH APHASIA

Measurement of outcomes subsequent to treatment and documentation of t he efficiency with which outcomes are achieved is critical information for healthcare policy makers and third-party payers. This study emplo yed the ASHA Functional Communication Measure (FCM) scales to retrospe ctively analyse charts of 20 aphasic patients. By discharge, both seve re and moderate groups gained a median (across modalities) of 1 FCM le vel. The severe group remained dependent for communication, while the moderately impaired group typically achieved independent communication levels. Efficiency (amount of FCM level gain relative to number of tr eatment sessions) was greater for the moderate group; average number o f treatment sessions was 40 for the severe group and 22 for the modera te group.