Effectiveness of Symbolic Communication Therapy on Expressive Abilities in Post- Stroke Aphasia
Dublin Core
Title
Effectiveness of Symbolic Communication Therapy on Expressive Abilities in Post- Stroke Aphasia
Subject
aphasia, digital application stroke,neurological rehabilitation,symbolic communication
Description
Background: Aphasia is a major post-stroke complication that
causes communication difficulties and significantly reduces
patients’ quality of life. Conventional speech therapy is often
limited by time and resources, highlighting the need for
technology-based alternatives that can be practiced
independently at home. This study aimed to evaluate the
effectiveness of a symbolic communication therapy (SCT)
application in improving communication skills among stroke
patients with aphasia.
Methods: A one-group pretest–posttest quasi-experimental
design was used with 15 motor-aphasia patients recruited from
the Neurology Ward of Haji Medan General Hospital.
Participants used an Android-based SCT application for six
weeks (two 30-minute sessions per day). Functional
communication ability was assessed using the Derby
Functional Communication Scale (DFCS) before and after
intervention. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon SignedRank Test.
Results: The SCT application significantly improved patients’
communication performance. DFCS scores increased in
expression (5.93 to 6.93), comprehension (5.47 to 7.93), and
interaction (4.93 to 6.93) domains (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The SCT application effectively enhances
functional communication in post-stroke aphasia patients and
can serve as a complementary, low-cost tool within
neurological rehabilitation programs, particularly in resourcelimited healthcare settings
causes communication difficulties and significantly reduces
patients’ quality of life. Conventional speech therapy is often
limited by time and resources, highlighting the need for
technology-based alternatives that can be practiced
independently at home. This study aimed to evaluate the
effectiveness of a symbolic communication therapy (SCT)
application in improving communication skills among stroke
patients with aphasia.
Methods: A one-group pretest–posttest quasi-experimental
design was used with 15 motor-aphasia patients recruited from
the Neurology Ward of Haji Medan General Hospital.
Participants used an Android-based SCT application for six
weeks (two 30-minute sessions per day). Functional
communication ability was assessed using the Derby
Functional Communication Scale (DFCS) before and after
intervention. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon SignedRank Test.
Results: The SCT application significantly improved patients’
communication performance. DFCS scores increased in
expression (5.93 to 6.93), comprehension (5.47 to 7.93), and
interaction (4.93 to 6.93) domains (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The SCT application effectively enhances
functional communication in post-stroke aphasia patients and
can serve as a complementary, low-cost tool within
neurological rehabilitation programs, particularly in resourcelimited healthcare settings
Creator
Evarina Sembiring, Flora Sijabat, Harold Situmorang, Amila Amila, Zuraidah Mastura Daulay, Dearni Trinitas Zebua
Source
https://doi.org/10.37341/jkg.v9i2.1289
Publisher
Poltekkes Surakarta
Date
December 2025
Contributor
Sri Wahyuni
Format
PDF
Language
English
Type
Text
Files
Collection
Citation
Evarina Sembiring, Flora Sijabat, Harold Situmorang, Amila Amila, Zuraidah Mastura Daulay, Dearni Trinitas Zebua, “Effectiveness of Symbolic Communication Therapy on Expressive Abilities in Post- Stroke Aphasia,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed February 21, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/10923.