Neurophysiological Mechanisms Underlying Reading Comprehension Recovery After Stroke: Implications for Educational Interventions

Objective: To combine the latest research on reading comprehension recovery after stroke and create teaching strategies that exploit these mechanisms. Methods: We undertook a narrative review of studies using behaviour, electrophysiology or imaging techniques published in PubMed during the years ۲۰۱۳ to ۲۰۲۵. We selected studies that met the following criteria: (۱) Those that targeted reading comprehension in post-stroke aphasia patients and (۲) Reports providing evidence of oscillations, connectivity, or activation-based neural markers. Data: Fourteen studies were included, comprising randomised controlled trials involving reading strategies, longitudinal brain scans using fMRI or MEG, and pilot trials of neuromodulation. Results: Participants who received a strategy-based approach saw increased scores in text comprehension and views of their reading skills up to six months after treatment. Neural recovery of the patients was linked with the task-dependent modulation of alpha and beta oscillatory power in perilesional regions and right-hemisphere homologues. Also, it was associated with preserved cortical–cortical connectivity profiles. Intermittent stimulation of the brain with theta bursts improved left-hemispheric functioning in the language network and naming performance. Conclusions: During recovery after a stroke, reading comprehension is supported by neurophysiological plasticity in the form of oscillatory modulation and network adaptations. Adding both metacognitive strategy training and reading techniques based on rhythm and feedback may amplify these mechanisms.

کلیدواژه ها:

Stroke aphasia ، reading comprehension ، neuroplasticity ، oscillations ، educational interventions