Ann Charlotte Laska, Aniko Bartfai, Anders Hellblom, Veronica Murray and Thomas Kahan
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-0070

Objective: To compare standardized and functional aphasia tests in patients after acute stroke.
Design: Data were collected at baseline and at 6 months in 2 prospective single-centre studies: one observational study (study I, n = 119) and one randomized trial of moclobemide vs placebo (study II, n = 89).
Subjects: Patients with aphasia after acute stroke.
Methods: Degree of aphasia was examined using the Coefficient (Coeff) in Norsk Grunntest for Afasi (standardized) and the Amsterdam-Nijmegen Everyday Language Test (ANELT) (functional). Statistical comparisons were made using one-way analysis of variance and multivariate regression analyses.
Results: The degree of aphasia measured with Coeff and ANELT correlated closely throughout the study (r2 = 0. 71–0. 87, p < 0. 0001). In study I, 24 patients recovered completely within 6 months. A Coeff ≥ 49 and ANELT ≥ 3. 5 predicted complete recovery equally well. Coeff was sensitive to differentiate between patients with low values on ANELT, whereas ANELT was sensitive to differentiate between patients with high Coeff values.
Conclusion: The 2 tests show a close and consistent correlation over time and are equally sensitive to improvement. They have a similar capacity to predict complete recovery. A standardized test appears to be more suitable for patients with aphasia in the acute stage, while a functional test is more suitable in the subacute/chronic stage.