Treatment for Word Retrieval Impairments in Aphasia

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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In this study the investigators are examining the effectiveness of two different speech therapy protocols for word retrieval impairments experienced by individuals with stroke-induced aphasia. One treatment involves errorless naming treatment and the other employs verbal plus gestural facilitation of word retrieval. Participants will receive one of the two treatments over several months. Before and after treatment the investigators will administer several tests and conversational samples to examine changes associated with the treatments. The investigators hypothesize that, whereas both treatments will lead to improvements in words rehearsed in therapy, communication outcomes in conversation will be broader for the verbal plus gestural protocol.

Detailed Description
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In this study the investigators are examining the effectiveness of two different speech therapy protocols for word retrieval impairments experienced by individuals with stroke-induced aphasia. One treatment involves errorless naming treatment and the other employs verbal plus gestural facilitation of word retrieval. Participants will receive one of the two treatments over several months. Before and after treatment the investigators will administer several tests and conversational samples to examine changes associated with the treatments. The investigators hypothesize that, whereas both treatments will lead to improvements in words rehearsed in therapy, communication outcomes in conversation will be broader for the verbal plus gestural protocol.

Official Title
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Communication Outcomes for Naming Treatments in Aphasia

Conditions
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Stroke

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Word Retrieval Treatments for Aphasia


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: left hemisphere stroke >4 months earlier aphasia with word retrieval impairments >21 years of age right handed speaker of English as the preferred language >6 grade education Exclusion Criteria: history of developmental learning difficulties history of prior neurological illnesses chronic medical illnesses that restrict participation in speech therapy alcohol or drug dependence severe uncorrected impairments of vision or hearing

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 21 Years
Maximum Age: 90 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Errorless Naming Treatment<br> | Behavioral: Word Retrieval Treatments for Aphasia<br>* Speech therapy sessions take place 4 times per week for up to 90 minutes per session. Following a phase of baseline pre-testing, two phases of speech therapy will take place lasting up to 20 sessions per phase. Post-testing will take place immediately upon completion of the treatment phases and again at 1 month post study completion.<br>|
| Experimental: Verbal+Gestural Facilitation<br> | Behavioral: Word Retrieval Treatments for Aphasia<br>* Speech therapy sessions take place 4 times per week for up to 90 minutes per session. Following a phase of baseline pre-testing, two phases of speech therapy will take place lasting up to 20 sessions per phase. Post-testing will take place immediately upon completion of the treatment phases and again at 1 month post study completion.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Daily Probe Picture Naming |  | daily probes from three times per week for up to 3 months and one month posttreatment | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Western Aphasia Battery |  | pre-treatment and at treatment completion | 
| Boston Naming Test |  | pretreatment and at treatment completion | 
| Discourse Sample |  | pre-treatment and at treatment completion | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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aphasia, anomia, speech therapy, rehabilitation