Abstract: Objective To observe the effect of constraint-induced language therapy (CILT) on speech and communicative activities in sub-acute stroke patients with aphasia. Methods 59 sub-acute stroke patients with aphasia were divided into control group (n=29) and observation group (n=30), who accepted routine speech therapy and CILT respectively. They were assessed with China Rehabilitation Research Center Aphasia Examination (CRRCAE) and Communicative Activities In Daily Living (CADL) before, and 10 days and 3 months after intervention. Results The scores of comprehension, repetition, naming, reading aloud, reading comprehension, and CADL improved more in the observation group than in the control group 10 days and 3 months after intervention (P<0.05). Conclusion CILT may facilitate the recovery of speech and communicative activities in daily living in sub-acute stroke patients with aphasia.

Key words: stroke, sub-acute, aphasia, constraint-induced language therapy, speech therapy