Fifty-five chronic aphasic patients were investigated as to their “adaptation.” In this study, adaptation was discussed in a sense of “coping,” that is, behavior directed at the resolution of a problematic situation. The subjects included 17 Broca's aphasics, 23 Wernicke's aphasics and 15 anomics. SLTA, CADL, CPM, a questionnaire concerning social, familial and economic states, and an interview with the patients and their families were all undertaken for the evaluation. The results were as follows :
1) There was no distinct relation between SLTA score and CADL score and a “favorable” adaptation.
2) The correlation coefficient between SLTA score and CADL score was highest in Broca's aphasics, followed by Wernicke's aphasics and anomics.
3) In the group of mild aphasics, the most important factors behind a “favorable” adaptation were the degree of demand imposed by the patients themselves and the full support given by their families.
4) In the group of severe aphasics, the most important factors behind a patient's “favorable” adaptation were changes in character due to brain damage and the support given by their families. Though character change is generally considered a negative factor, it was suggested that this could work positively at times, due to the fact that the degree of self-imposed demand could decreaseas a result of such change.
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