Modern strategies for the rehabilitation of patients with aphasia and dysarthria in the post-stroke period: a review

This work aimed to systematically review and quantitatively synthesize the evidence on the efficacy of modern rehabilitation strategies compared with standard care in adults with post-stroke aphasia and/or dysarthria for outcomes including verbal communication, speech comprehension, naming function, quality of life, and cognitive function. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, eLIBRARY, and Google Scholar for the period 2015–2025. Randomized controlled trials evaluating modern rehabilitation interventions in patients with post-stroke aphasia/dysarthria were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the RoB 2 tool. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model with standardized mean difference (Hedges’ g) as the effect measure. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the Q-test, I², and τ² statistics; publication bias was assessed visually and with Egger’s test. Thirteen RCTs were included (total participants: 1601 in the intervention groups, 1364 in the control groups). Methodological quality assessment revealed low risk of bias in 9 studies (69.2%) and moderate risk in 4 (30.8%). Meta-analysis showed a statistically significant positive effect of rehabilitation interventions on naming function (Hedges’ g = 0.992; 95% CI 0.283–1.700; p = 0.0114; I² = 0.9%). The greatest effect was observed with combined approaches (rTMS + M-MAT) and high-intensity therapy in the chronic phase. For verbal communication (g = 0.323; 95% CI −1.177–1.822; p = 0.642) and quality of life (g = 0.136; 95% CI −0.169–0.440; p = 0.318), no statistically significant improvements were found. Evidence for dysarthria supports the efficacy of Liuzijue Qigong breathing exercises. Modern rehabilitation strategies show proven efficacy in improving naming function in post-stroke aphasia, particularly with high-intensity therapy in the chronic phase and in combination with rTMS. For dysarthria, breathing techniques are the most effective. The lack of effect on verbal communication and quality of life highlights the need for more sensitive outcome measures and long-term programs. Personalized rehabilitation approaches that account for stroke phase and further research into combined strategies are needed.