Attention deficits in stroke patients with aphasia

Author(s): Douglas, J. M.

Journal/Book: J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 1997; 19: P O Box 825, 2160 Sz Lisse, Netherlands. Swets Zeitlinger Publishers. 525-542.

Abstract: Attentional capacity and sustained attention were investigated in 21 aphasic stroke patients and 21 non-brain-damaged patients. Attentional capacity was assessed using a series of reaction time (RT) tasks. The aphasic patients demonstrated impaired attentional capacity as shown by slower processing speed than the non-brain-damaged group (p <.01) and greater increases in RT with increased processing load (p <.05). Similar patterns were found for both verbal and spatial material. There was no significant relationship between severity of auditory comprehension deficits and attentional capacity. Sustained attention was assessed using a cognitive vigilance task requiring identification of a target letter presented infrequently over 32 minutes. Both the aphasic and the non-brain-damaged group demonstrated a decline in performance with time on task as shown by a steady increase in RTs (p <.0001), but the decline was equivalent across the groups. Thus, the aphasic group did not show a specific deficit in the ability to sustain attention.

Note: Article Douglas JM, La Trobe Univ, Fac Hlth Sci, Sch Human Commun Sci, Bundoora, Vic 3083, AUSTRALIA

Keyword(s): SIMPLE REACTION-TIME; UNILATERAL BRAIN-DAMAGE; CLOSED-HEAD-INJURY; SUSTAINED ATTENTION; RIGHT-HEMISPHERE; MULTIPLE RESOURCES; DIVIDED ATTENTION; PERFORMANCE; VIGILANCE; DISEASE

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