Enhancing Language Function in Aphasia Using Behavioral Language Intervention
University of Arizona
Summary
Aphasia is an acquired impairment of language, that commonly results from damage to language areas in the brain (typically the left side of the brain). This impairment is seen in many aspects of language, including understanding, speaking, reading and writing. It is estimated that about 2 million individuals are currently living with aphasia in the United States. Further, about 200,000 Americans acquire aphasia every year (National Aphasia Association, 2020). Aphasia poses significant impact on the affected individuals and their families. Behavioral treatments that target language deficits have been shown to enhance overall communication skills and life satisfaction among individuals with aphasia. Although there is evidence that suggests that treatment is efficacious for individuals with aphasia, the extent of improvement long-term coupled with the neural patterns among those individuals are largely unknown. The current study aims to investigate the efficacy of language-based treatment and its corresponding neural patterns.
Description
The purpose of this study is to develop semantic-based treatment to address language deficits in individuals with acquired language disorders. We propose to develop an individually optimized semantic-based protocol for strategy implementation and word finding facilitation among individuals with language disorders. Phase 1: Following screening, participants who fulfill the inclusion criteria and have consented to participate in the study will undergo baseline cognitive and language assessment, electroencephalography (EEG) recording and the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Participants wi…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 21–80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Present with speech-language impairment (aphasia) caused by stroke or dementia 2. A medical diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia (PPA) by a neurologist or physician 3. Are native speakers of English 4. Present with no contraindications for MRI 5. Have adequate (normal or corrected to normal) vision and hearing Exclusion Criteria: 1. Individuals diagnosed with mood, anxiety, psychotic or substance abuse disorders. 2. Individuals with highly magnetizable metallic implants, including certain dental work, may be excluded due to image quality in MRI. 3. Individuals wit…
Interventions
- Behavioralindividualized speech-language training
Language treatment might include lexical, semantic, and interactive treatment. During treatment, patients may be trained to name words by attempting to self-cue lexical retrieval. The therapy moves incrementally through semantic cuing. The semantic treatment will be implemented using the methods described in (Edmonds et al., 2009, 2014).
- Behavioralstandard language intervention
Participants will undergo standard speech-language naming therapy
Location
- University of ArizonaTucson, Arizona