Purpose: This study aimed to examine the cognitive profiles of individuals with aphasia and the factors associated with these profiles. Specifically, the relationships between cognitive abilities and language, depression, age, gender, education level, time since stroke, type of aphasia, alcohol and tobacco use, physical and social activities, and reading habits were investigated.
Method:The study included 54 individuals with aphasia. Data were collected using the Oxford Cognitive Screen - Turkish version (OCS-TR), the Aphasia Language Assessment Test (ADD), and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). Data analysis was conducted using the SPSS statistical software.
Results: A significant correlation was found between OCS-TR and ADD scores, as well as between OCS-TR memory subtests and HAM-D scores. While scores on some subtests decreased with increasing age, only the “Executive Task: Circle” subtest showed a significant gender difference in favor of males. Higher education levels were associated with higher scores on certain subtests. Individuals with fluent aphasia scored higher on the “Picture Naming” and “Sentence Reading” tasks. Alcohol consumption had a significant impact only on the “Missing Hearts” subtest. No significant effects were found for tobacco use, physical or social activities on cognitive scores. However, frequent book reading was associated with significantly better performance on the “Calculation” subtest.
Conclusion: Considering the close relationship between language and cognitive abilities, it is important that intervention processes are planned using a holistic approach that incorporates both cognitive and mental health components.
aphasia, cognitive skills, depression, smoking-alcohol consumption, physical-social activity, reading habits
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