City Research Online

Abstract

This PhD study set out firstly to synthesize verb treatment literature in aphasia and secondly to explore the feasibility, acceptability, compliance, fidelity, and preliminary efficacy of a novel verb and sentence production treatment using a pre-post design with six single cases. Two reviews synthesized 37 studies of verb-in-isolation treatments (182 participants) and 33 studies of verb-insentence treatments (126 participants) and found these comprised primarily Level 4 evidence for treatment effect on trained items in at least 80% of participants, with varied generalization (15-59% participants depending on target), and clear preference for verb-in-sentence treatments. Dose varied widely, and fidelity was rarely assessed. The subsequent novel Sentence Production Treatment (SPT) was low dose (8 hours) and clinician delivered, supplemented by a minimum set level (16hrs) of self-managed computer- based treatment. Six participants (three males and three females aged 49 – 81 years) took part. Each chose 20 personally relevant verbs and worked on these in a series of exercises based on single verb and sentence treatments from the reviews. The SPT was found to be feasible and acceptable to participants although illness and other factors required accommodation during the study. Five were independent in using the SPT, and four complied with the minimum amount of self-delivered treatment requested. Treatment effects were noted on trained verb production and sentence production for five participants each. Generalisation to untrained verb and sentence targets and discourse was more limited, however four participants perceived functional communication improvements. The study represents the first preliminary evidence that treatment for verb and sentence production deficits self-delivered by computer can be effective. Given these overall positive findings of feasibility and benefit, further feasibility testing is warranted, exploring intervention refinement, candidacy, and a stronger research design.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology
Departments:	School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Language & Communication Science School of Health & Psychological Sciences > School of Health & Psychological Sciences Doctoral Theses Doctoral Theses

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