A study on simplification of the Standard Language Test of Aphasia (SLTA)

The Standard Language Test of Aphasia (STLA) was developed for classification and evaluation of severity of aphasia of Japanese speakers in 1975. Now it has become the most reliable test for patient with aphasic condition in Japan. However, the test involves many tasks and assessment is rather complicated. A simplified display of aphasic conditions was created by means of statistical analysis of the features of types of aphasia in order to reduce time and labor involved in SLTA for bed side use. Data were collected from 198 patients, including 40 patients with Broca aphasia (17 severe and 23 moderate cases), 64 patients with Wernicke aphasia (28 severe and 36 moderate cases) and 94 patients with global aphasia (68 severe and 26 moderate cases). A test with simplfied aphasia pattern involved naming objects for daily use (represented by pictures), pronunciation of words written in Kanji (Chinese characters) and in Kana (syllabary), pronunciation of single Kana, dictation of single Kana (oral presentation), repeating simple words presented by the examiner, dictation of words to be written in Kanji (oral presentation), matching words in Kana and a picture (pointing), writing words in Kanji (represented by pictures), writing words in Kana (represented by pictures), and auditory comprehension of words.