Acupuncture and Acupressure for Aphasia and Mutism

Acupuncture and Acupressure for Aphasia and Mutism

Acupuncture and acupressure have been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of medical conditions, including aphasia and mutism. These treatments involve the stimulation of specific points on the body, which can improve the flow of energy and promote healing.

Acupuncture 

Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body. These needles are left in place for a period of time, typically 20-30 minutes, and are used to stimulate the flow of energy throughout the body. 

Acupressure 

Acupressure involves the application of pressure to these same points using the fingers or other instruments.

There is some evidence to suggest that acupuncture and acupressure may be effective in treating aphasia and mutism. A study published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine found that acupuncture was effective in improving language skills in individuals with aphasia. Another study published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine found that acupressure was effective in improving communication skills in individuals with mutism.

Conclusion

Aphasia and mutism are two conditions that can have a significant impact on an individual's quality of life. These conditions can be caused by a variety of factors, including stroke, head injury, and degenerative disease. Treatment options for aphasia and mutism include speech therapy, medications, behavioral therapy, and Oriental Medicine, including acupuncture and acupressure. If you or someone you know is experiencing communication difficulties, it is important to seek medical attention to determine the cause and appropriate treatment options.

REFERENCES : 

• Code, C. (1995). The semantic-interpersonal continuum in aphasia: A brief review. Aphasiology, 9(3), 267-278. This article explores the relationship between the semantic and interpersonal aspects of language use in aphasia. It suggests that the degree to which language is used for interpersonal communication can influence the severity of the semantic impairment.

• Hillis, A. E. (2007). Aphasia: Progress in the last quarter of a century. Neurology, 69(2), 200-213. This review article provides an overview of the advances in the understanding and treatment of aphasia over the last 25 years. It discusses the importance of neuroimaging in diagnosis and treatment planning.

• Jorgensen, H. S., Nakayama, H., Raaschou, H. O., & Olsen, T. S. (1995). Acute stroke care and rehabilitation: an analysis of the direct cost and its clinical and social determinants. Stroke, 26(6), 1027-1032. This study examined the direct costs of acute stroke care and rehabilitation. It found that the costs were significantly influenced by factors such as age, severity of the stroke, and the presence of other medical conditions.

• Kertesz, A. (2007). Western aphasia battery—revised. Pearson Education, Inc. The Western Aphasia Battery is a widely used test for evaluating language function in individuals with aphasia. This revised version includes new subtests and has improved psychometric properties.

• McNeil, M. R., & Pratt, S. R. (2001). Defining and describing aphasia. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 10(1), 62-71. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the various subtypes of aphasia, including Broca's aphasia, Wernicke's aphasia, and global aphasia. It discusses the characteristic features and symptoms of each subtype.

• Pope, C., & Mays, N. (2006). Qualitative research in health care. Wiley Online Library. This book provides an overview of the methods and techniques used in qualitative research in healthcare. It discusses the importance of understanding the perspectives of patients and caregivers in the evaluation and treatment of medical conditions.

• Sarno, M. T. (2003). Acupuncture and aphasia. Perspectives in Biology and Medicine, 46(3), 395-407. This article provides an overview of the use of acupuncture for treating aphasia. It discusses the theories behind acupuncture, the evidence for its efficacy, and the possible mechanisms of action.

• Schlaug, G., Marchina, S., & Norton, A. (2008). Evidence for plasticity in white-matter tracts of patients with chronic broca's aphasia undergoing intense intonation-based speech therapy. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1169(1), 385-394. This study used diffusion tensor imaging to investigate changes in white matter tracts in patients with Broca's aphasia undergoing intense intonation-based speech therapy. The results suggest that the therapy can lead to changes in the white matter tracts associated with language production.

• Wilkins, A. J., & Robertson, I. H. (1999). A cognitive neuropsychological approach to rehabilitation. In Rehabilitation of neuropsychological disorders: A practical guide for rehabilitation professionals (pp. 61-96). Psychology Press. This chapter discusses the application of cognitive neuropsychology to the rehabilitation of individuals with aphasia. It describes the use of assessment tools and treatment approaches that are based on a theoretical understanding of the underlying cognitive processes.