Disclaimer: this resource is intended for speech and language therapists and students of this profession. If you require therapy for aphasia please contact a speech and language therapist.
Computer-assisted Word Retrieval Approaches
Summary: Clients are provided with software or apps that allow them to explore the semantic, phonological and orthographic features of target words independently.
Example: Several apps are available for Android and Apple devices that target word retrieval. These include Naming Therapy (www.tactustherapy.com), Talk Around It (www.neurohero.com), and Constant Therapy (www.constanttherapy.com). Desktop software that targets word retrieval is also available, for example StepByStep© (www.aphasia-software.com). Aphasia Software Finder (www.aphasiasoftwarefinder.org) is an independent aphasia-friendly website that details software and apps for aphasia.
Evidence Base: One study provided computer-assisted therapy for word retrieval to 7 participants with chronic aphasia over 6 months (Mortley et al., 2004). Participants were visited at home and provided with software (StepByStep©). Participants used the software to carry out word retrieval exercises set by a therapist and then emailed their results to the therapist. Therapy exercises included ‘spoken and written word-picture matching tasks, semantic association, naming, reading and spelling tasks’. The therapist would then phone the participant to set new exercises based on their progress. On average participants used the system for 2 hours 45 minutes per week. Findings show that noun and verb retrieval improved significantly following the therapy. For 3 of the 7 participants there was generalisation to untrained words. Mortley et al. suggest that this means of delivering therapy requires less therapist-time per patient.
A qualitative follow-up study (Wade et al., 2003) interviewed 6 of the 7 participants in Mortley et al.’s study. Participants reported increased ability on therapy activities and improvements in discourse as well as increased skill at using the telephone and computer. Participants particularly valued having control over the timing and duration of their therapy.
Additionally, Adrian et al. (2011) carried out computer-assisted naming therapy with 15 participants with aphasia (ranging from mild to moderate anomia). Following 15 weeks of treatment, all participants saw a significant improvement in their naming skills. Some evidence of generalisation to untrained items was noted.
Menke et al. (2009) carried out a study into computer-assisted therapy for word retrieval delivered to 8 participants with moderate to severe anomia. Participants used software targeting word retrieval whilst being supervised by a therapist for 3 hours a day over 2 weeks. Findings showed an average 64% improvement in word retrieval on trained words, which was maintained at 8 months post-therapy.
A qualitative follow-up study (Wade et al., 2003) interviewed 6 of the 7 participants in Mortley et al.’s study. Participants reported increased ability on therapy activities and improvements in discourse as well as increased skill at using the telephone and computer. Participants particularly valued having control over the timing and duration of their therapy.
Additionally, Adrian et al. (2011) carried out computer-assisted naming therapy with 15 participants with aphasia (ranging from mild to moderate anomia). Following 15 weeks of treatment, all participants saw a significant improvement in their naming skills. Some evidence of generalisation to untrained items was noted.
Menke et al. (2009) carried out a study into computer-assisted therapy for word retrieval delivered to 8 participants with moderate to severe anomia. Participants used software targeting word retrieval whilst being supervised by a therapist for 3 hours a day over 2 weeks. Findings showed an average 64% improvement in word retrieval on trained words, which was maintained at 8 months post-therapy.
References
Adrian, J. A., Gonzalez, M., Buiza, J. J., & Sage, K., 2011. Extending the use of Spanish Computer-assisted Anomia Rehabilitation Program (CARP-2) in people with aphasia. Journal of Communication Disorders, 44, 666-677
Menke, R., Meinzer, M., Kugel, H., Deppe, M., Baumgartner, A., Schiffbauer, H., Thomas, M., Kramer, K., Lohmann, H., Floel, A., Knecht, S., & Breitenstein, C., 2009. Imaging short- and long-term training success in chronic aphasia. BMC Neuroscience, 10(118), 1-13
Mortley, J., Wade, J., & Enderby, P., 2004. Superhighway to Promoting a Client-Therapist Partnership? Using the Internet to Deliver Word-Retrieval Computer Therapy, Monitored Remotely with Minimal Speech and Language Therapy Input. Aphasiology, 18(3), 193-211
Wade, J., Mortley, J., & Enderby, P., 2003. Talk about IT: Views of People with Aphasia and Their Partners on Receiving Remotely Monitored Computer-Based Word Finding Therapy. Aphasiology, 17(11), 1031-1056
Adrian, J. A., Gonzalez, M., Buiza, J. J., & Sage, K., 2011. Extending the use of Spanish Computer-assisted Anomia Rehabilitation Program (CARP-2) in people with aphasia. Journal of Communication Disorders, 44, 666-677
Menke, R., Meinzer, M., Kugel, H., Deppe, M., Baumgartner, A., Schiffbauer, H., Thomas, M., Kramer, K., Lohmann, H., Floel, A., Knecht, S., & Breitenstein, C., 2009. Imaging short- and long-term training success in chronic aphasia. BMC Neuroscience, 10(118), 1-13
Mortley, J., Wade, J., & Enderby, P., 2004. Superhighway to Promoting a Client-Therapist Partnership? Using the Internet to Deliver Word-Retrieval Computer Therapy, Monitored Remotely with Minimal Speech and Language Therapy Input. Aphasiology, 18(3), 193-211
Wade, J., Mortley, J., & Enderby, P., 2003. Talk about IT: Views of People with Aphasia and Their Partners on Receiving Remotely Monitored Computer-Based Word Finding Therapy. Aphasiology, 17(11), 1031-1056
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