DIFFERENCES IN APHASIA AMONG PATIENTS WITH LEFT HEMISPHERIC STROKE AND RIGHT HEMISPHERIC STROKE AT DR. SOEDONO REGIONAL GENERAL HOSPITAL, EAST JAVA PROVINCE, INDONESIA

Abstract

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and long-term disability worldwide. One of its common neurological complications is aphasia, a language disorder affecting speaking, comprehension, reading, and writing. Aphasia impairs communication, daily functioning, and quality of life. Although it is commonly associated with lesions in the dominant cerebral hemisphere, evidence comparing aphasia between left- and right-hemispheric stroke remains limited.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the occurrence of aphasia in patients with left hemispheric stroke and right hemispheric stroke.

Methods: A descriptive comparative study was conducted among 51 stroke patients admitted to the Stroke Unit and Wijaya Kusuma Ward of Dr. Soedono Regional General Hospital, East Java Province, Indonesia. Participants were selected using accidental sampling. Data were collected through interviews and direct observation of language abilities and analyzed using the Chi-square test and Fisher's Exact Test with a significance level of α = 0.05.

Results: Of the participants, 70.6% had left hemispheric stroke and 29.4% had right hemispheric stroke. Motor aphasia and sensory aphasia each accounted for 33.3% of cases in the left hemispheric group, whereas sensory aphasia was most common in the right hemispheric group (46.7%). Overall, sensory aphasia was the predominant subtype (37.3%). No significant difference was found between stroke hemisphere and aphasia type (Chi-square, p = 0.447; Fisher's Exact Test, p = 0.497).

Conclusion: Aphasia occurrence did not differ significantly between patients with left and right hemispheric stroke. Comprehensive communication assessment and individualized rehabilitation should therefore be provided for all stroke patients regardless of lesion location.