Authors

  1. Gravier, Michelle L.
  2. Hula, William D.
  3. Johnson, Jeffrey P.
  4. Autenreith, Alyssa
  5. Dickey, Michael Walsh

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate whether levels of cortisol, a stress-related hormone, predicted response to intensive speech-language intervention for individuals with chronic aphasia (IWA). Secondary analyses explored baseline cortisol levels, change following intervention, association between cortisol levels and aphasia severity, self-reported communicative distress, and chronic stress.

 

Method: Afternoon salivary cortisol levels were measured in 14 IWA during the first and last weeks of a 4-week intensive speech-language intervention epoch. Behavioral outcome measures were collected pre- and postintervention.

 

Results: Cortisol levels did not significantly predict treatment response in this sample of IWA, although a positive trend was present. Baseline cortisol levels were not abnormally elevated, did not change from pre- to postintervention, and were not significantly correlated with any of the behavioral outcome measures.

 

Discussion: Although afternoon salivary cortisol levels did not robustly predict treatment response in this participant sample, future studies may be warranted that include IWA with elevated levels of cortisol at pretreatment.