The Language Neuroscience Podcast
‘Determinants of multilevel discourse outcomes in anomia treatment for aphasia’ with Rob Cavanaugh
Oct 14, 2023
Research Data Analyst Rob Cavanaugh discusses his dissertation on multilevel discourse outcomes in anomia treatment for aphasia. They explore different treatments and ongoing clinical trials for aphasia, highlighting challenges in analyzing discourse measures. The speakers discuss the disappointment of not seeing expected effects on discourse measures and discuss strategies to improve treatment outcomes.
01:15:14
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Quick takeaways
- The train and hope approach for aphasia treatment, which relies on training skills without a clear mechanism for generalization, is ineffective, emphasizing the need for treatment approaches that scaffold the use of trained skills in specific contexts or incorporate a range of strategies to support generalization.
- Solely focusing on training word retrieval using Semantic Feature Analysis (SFA) may not be sufficient to facilitate effective communication in real-world contexts, highlighting the need for treatment approaches that facilitate the transfer of trained skills to meaningful communicative situations.
Deep dives
Lack of Generalization in SFA Treatment for Aphasia
The study examines the limited generalization of Semantic Feature Analysis (SFA) treatment for aphasia. The research involved 60 individuals with aphasia who underwent an intensive SFA trial consisting of 60 hours of treatment over three to four weeks. The study found that there were no significant changes in discourse outcomes, formativeness, predicate-argument structures, or global coherence after the treatment. The results indicate that the train and hope approach, where individuals are expected to generalize the trained skills to real-world communication, is insufficient. Instead, the study suggests the need for a theoretical mechanism that focuses on how individuals can use the trained skills effectively in their everyday contexts.
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