A bit of a backstory
We started months ago and since then the idea has evolved. It is all thanks to our participant – aphasia fighter Ryszard, who not only does our exercises, but also gives us honest comments about aphasia exercises and the general approach to exercises in general.
So, we know what to improve: what exercises he believes are helping him, and he likes to do them, and which ones he sees are not relevant. Of course, sometimes we do not agree, but the truth is that even if we think our participant could draw a little as it is beneficial, there is no way to force it, right? His reactions (for example, rejection) give us power to think about other ways, other exercises so he will then like them and just do them.
The challenge in general is that aphasia fighters want to get better, but at the same time their hope is shaky. To understand it, to somehow step into their shoes and feel how they feel – helps to understand then all rational arguments, all the training, exercises, plan for learning to be better – is one. But the second is just to have empathy as the situation for aphasia fighters is so hard and hope is scarce.
Today we want to summarize around six months of Ryszard’s work – and his feedback about which of them is useful. It can be of help for caregivers but also other patients, this is why we are describing this story.
THANK YOU, RYSZARD!
He did his exercises in his native language (which is Polish), so photos are in this language. The description is prepared in English, and below, in Polish also (click here!).
Exercises that worked the best are:
- Mathematical exercises,
- Language exercises, especially crosswords,
- Foreign languages exercises as something interesting.
Exercises that were done, and we are happy about it because they are important, but there was not a lot of enthusiasm:
- Cube copying test,
- Clock test.
And the exercises that were commented as not fine:
- Drawing exercises,
- Food exercises,
- General metrics questions.
Here are examples together with a brief explanation:
Math
Both versions are ok, we think we can prepare more exercises in a way 2. As they are more difficult (?). Let us see in the future.
Crosswords, puzzles and foreign languages
That is great to see them done, we will continue to prepare more of them.
Cube copying test or clock test
Both of them are not only to help exercise motoric skills, but also they are used in other screenings.
The Cube Copying Test and the Clock Drawing Test are valuable tools for assessing cognitive performance. Importantly, these tests are particularly important in the context of stroke. Strokes can affect various cognitive functions depending on the area of the brain that is impacted.
Importantly, the Cube Copying Test and the Clock Drawing Test can help identify deficits in visual-spatial abilities, executive functioning, and memory, which are common after a stroke. These assessments can be used to evaluate the extent of cognitive impairment, guide rehabilitation strategies, and monitor recovery progress.
It means that by the evaluation of patient’s performance on these tests, healthcare providers can adjust interventions to address specific cognitive deficits, hence improving outcomes and quality of life.
“The cube-copying test is useful for routine clinical dementia screening, however the test examines only one aspect of cognitive function. While not an alternative to conventional neuropsychological examinations, quantitatively scored cube copying can provide a rough estimate of cognitive dysfunction in dementia patients.” (1)
“The clock-drawing test is able to detect mental decline as people with dementia often have problems reading traditional clocks. Reading clocks requires you to interpret the placement of the hands on a clock and the time they are meant to represent.” (2)
What exercises weren’t done and judged as not nice
Drawings
Food
Metrics
The challenge ahead is to have an idea on how to prepare exercise that will include drawings or how to ask general questions for simple metrics (including food choices) to gather data – as having data can help prepare completely new approach to the exercises.
what is next?
We will continue to prepare more exercises (in both languages, English and Polish); we also need to continue to get feedback from Ryszard. One is that we genuinely want him to get better and trying to help as we can. But also, Ryszard helping us to create better exercises is beneficial to other aphasia fighters – so there is a bigger goal ahead!
Aphasia exercises in English – examples are here!
Read the article in Polish here! And aphasia excercises in Polish are here!
References: (1) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15223741/ and (2) https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-clock-drawing-test-98619
The Clock Drawing Test may be a useful and quick screen of cognitive impairments following stroke: (3) https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1630.2009.00795.x