How to rehabilitate patients with impaired language function

Sep 11, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Lei
Introduction
In general, language function decline may be caused by factors such as aging, long-term lack of verbal interaction, mild cognitive impairment, stroke, Parkinson's disease, and other related conditions. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and then undergo rehabilitation through speech therapy, medication, and other methods under a doctor's guidance. Additionally, a relaxed environment for verbal communication should be created for the patient in daily life, avoiding rushing or interrupting their speech.

Generally, language function decline may be caused by factors such as aging, long-term lack of verbal communication, mild cognitive impairment, stroke, Parkinson's disease, and others. It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation to identify the underlying cause, followed by rehabilitation under a doctor's guidance through language training, medication, and other methods. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Aging: With increasing age, the activity of nerve cells in the brain's language center declines, leading to reduced language expression and comprehension abilities. Engage in active verbal communication daily with family and friends through chatting and storytelling. Practice language organization by reading newspapers or books for 15–20 minutes each session to gradually maintain language function.

2. Long-term lack of verbal communication: Prolonged solitude and reduced language use can lead to insufficient stimulation of the language center, resulting in functional deterioration. Actively participate in social activities such as community gatherings and interest groups to increase opportunities for verbal interaction. Use language-based mini games to exercise language response and expression skills in an enjoyable way.

3. Mild cognitive impairment: A slight decline in cognitive function can affect language information processing, causing impaired fluency and reduced vocabulary. Follow medical advice to use medications such as donepezil hydrochloride tablets, rivastigmine tartrate capsules, and huperzine A tablets to improve cognitive function and support language recovery.

4. Stroke: Vascular lesions in the brain can damage the language center, leading to aphasia and other forms of functional decline. Begin language rehabilitation training as early as possible after the acute phase and follow medical advice to use medications such as sodium citicoline capsules, butylphthalide soft capsules, and oxiracetam capsules to promote brain injury recovery and aid in language function restoration.

5. Parkinson's disease: Reduction of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain affects motor and speech control, leading to slow speech and monotonous tone. Follow medical advice to use medications such as levodopa tablets, pramipexole hydrochloride tablets, and ropinirole hydrochloride tablets to alleviate Parkinson's symptoms and indirectly support language function recovery.

In daily life, create a relaxed environment for verbal communication, avoiding rushing or interrupting the patient. Document the patient's language recovery progress and adjust training plans accordingly. Ensure the patient gets sufficient sleep and maintains a balanced diet to provide a solid physical foundation for brain function recovery and gradual improvement of language abilities.