Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Artist Statement
Two to four million Americans are affected by aphasia, an acquired communication disorder caused by brain damage (Simmons-Mackie, 2018). Speech, writing, reading and comprehension may all be affected by aphasia. Aphasia is commonly caused by stroke but brain injuries, cancer and neurologic disorders may also cause aphasia (NIH, 2017). Speech-language pathologists provide aphasia therapy particularly for aphasia-induced word finding difficulties known as anomia. Because communication is required for many daily activities, aphasia often has a devastating affect on an individual’s quality of life. Therapies that increase independence, and social participation in daily life are needed to increase the quality of life for patients with aphasia.
Currently, behavioral therapies that incorporate neurology and speech-language pathology research are being used to treat aphasia. One area of neurological research that has received little attention is the use of “salience” shown to increase rehabilitation after brain damage (Raymer et al., 2008). Language therapies involving salience rely on stimuli that are important and motivating to an individual. Incorporating salience in aphasia therapies may increase functional outcomes and quality of life.
The following study analyzed the impact of salient stimuli targets on picture naming accuracy for individuals with aphasia- induced anomia.
Two individuals with chronic aphasia and significant anomia who participated in an Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Program (ICAP) at the University of Montana served as participants for this investigation. Aphasia and anomia severity levels were determined by standardized tests.
Each participant choose 25 “salient” words, which were used to create photographic stimuli for naming sessions. Control photographic stimuli were selected to match the salient targets’ syllable length and frequency.
A single subject research design was implemented to assess the role of saliency during naming therapies. Three baseline-naming probes were given to assess pre- treatment naming accuracy. Three naming probes were given during the treatment phase and three post-intervention probes were given after intervention. All probes and interventions took place over five consecutive weeks of the ICAP. All stimuli were randomly presented during each probe session. Naming responses were scored as correct or incorrect and coded for error type.
Twelve, forty-five minute, evidence-based therapy sessions were implemented by graduate student clinicians under supervision of the researchers. Evidence-based therapeutic approaches were selected for each participant with regard to aphasia type, client goals, and clinical expertise.
Descriptive statistics including means and standard deviations for salient and control stimuli were calculated for each participant for each probe session. Effect sizes were calculated to determine the effect of change for the control and salient stimuli from baseline to post-treatment. Effect sizes for the salient stimuli were large for both participants: P1 (4.04), P2 (4.08). The control stimuli effect size for P1’s was large (2.14) and medium (.64) for P2.
Preliminary analyses suggest that incorporating salient targets in naming therapies increases naming accuracy. Implications for these findings further support the use of person specific, highly motivating, salient stimuli in anomia therapies. Anomia therapies that incorporate salient stimuli may increase functional outcomes and quality of life.
Mentor Name
Catherine Off
The Impact of Salient Naming Targets During Aphasia Therapy
UC North Ballroom
Two to four million Americans are affected by aphasia, an acquired communication disorder caused by brain damage (Simmons-Mackie, 2018). Speech, writing, reading and comprehension may all be affected by aphasia. Aphasia is commonly caused by stroke but brain injuries, cancer and neurologic disorders may also cause aphasia (NIH, 2017). Speech-language pathologists provide aphasia therapy particularly for aphasia-induced word finding difficulties known as anomia. Because communication is required for many daily activities, aphasia often has a devastating affect on an individual’s quality of life. Therapies that increase independence, and social participation in daily life are needed to increase the quality of life for patients with aphasia.
Currently, behavioral therapies that incorporate neurology and speech-language pathology research are being used to treat aphasia. One area of neurological research that has received little attention is the use of “salience” shown to increase rehabilitation after brain damage (Raymer et al., 2008). Language therapies involving salience rely on stimuli that are important and motivating to an individual. Incorporating salience in aphasia therapies may increase functional outcomes and quality of life.
The following study analyzed the impact of salient stimuli targets on picture naming accuracy for individuals with aphasia- induced anomia.
Two individuals with chronic aphasia and significant anomia who participated in an Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Program (ICAP) at the University of Montana served as participants for this investigation. Aphasia and anomia severity levels were determined by standardized tests.
Each participant choose 25 “salient” words, which were used to create photographic stimuli for naming sessions. Control photographic stimuli were selected to match the salient targets’ syllable length and frequency.
A single subject research design was implemented to assess the role of saliency during naming therapies. Three baseline-naming probes were given to assess pre- treatment naming accuracy. Three naming probes were given during the treatment phase and three post-intervention probes were given after intervention. All probes and interventions took place over five consecutive weeks of the ICAP. All stimuli were randomly presented during each probe session. Naming responses were scored as correct or incorrect and coded for error type.
Twelve, forty-five minute, evidence-based therapy sessions were implemented by graduate student clinicians under supervision of the researchers. Evidence-based therapeutic approaches were selected for each participant with regard to aphasia type, client goals, and clinical expertise.
Descriptive statistics including means and standard deviations for salient and control stimuli were calculated for each participant for each probe session. Effect sizes were calculated to determine the effect of change for the control and salient stimuli from baseline to post-treatment. Effect sizes for the salient stimuli were large for both participants: P1 (4.04), P2 (4.08). The control stimuli effect size for P1’s was large (2.14) and medium (.64) for P2.
Preliminary analyses suggest that incorporating salient targets in naming therapies increases naming accuracy. Implications for these findings further support the use of person specific, highly motivating, salient stimuli in anomia therapies. Anomia therapies that incorporate salient stimuli may increase functional outcomes and quality of life.