Investigating the Presence of Impulse Control Disorders in Adults with Aphasia

Previous research of impulse control disorders, common in adults with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s, were reviewed to determine possible links between impulse control disorders in in adults with aphasia. Aphasia is a disorder often caused by a stroke that can impact speech and language both receptively and expressively. Impulse control disorders (ICDs) (i.e., pathological gambling, hypersexuality, compulsive eating and shopping, etc.) have drastic consequences and can cause harm to the individual affected as well as their caregivers and family. This study sought to identify if symptoms of ICDs are prevalent in adults with aphasia by utilizing self-report surveys and a Go/No-Go impulsivity computer task. The findings of this study indicate that some impulsive factors are significantly heightened in adults who have had a stroke when compared to healthy same-age peers and that these differences are perhaps best captured by the self-report surveys. Despite a large amount of literature on the impact of stroke and quality of life, this area of impulse control has remained largely unexplored. Further investigation is warranted for the prevalence of impulse control disorders in adults with aphasia, however, this study is a step forward into understanding how aphasia and stroke affect the quality of life of those impacted.