Effects of attempted naming on word retrieval for individuals with aphasia
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1
Newcastle University, Speech and Language Sciences, School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences, United Kingdom
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2
International Doctorate for Experimental Approaches to Language and Brain (IDEALAB), Potsdam University, Germany; Groningen University, Netherlands; Trento University, Italy; Newcastle University, UK; and Macquarie University , Australia
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3
Macquarie University, Department of Cognitive Science, Australia
Introduction
One interesting, but little studied phenomenon in aphasia is that some individuals show improved word retrieval through repeated attempts at naming an item, without receiving any treatment or feedback. This is important as in some aphasia treatment studies, control items are repeatedly presented to individuals, providing multiple opportunities to attempt the correct response. Consequently, some results which have been interpreted as treatment generalisation, may in fact not be, but could be the effects of repeated attempts at naming (Nickels, 2002a; 2002b; Heath et al, 2015). In this study we aimed to further investigate such effects and the circumstances under which improvement from repeated naming occurs.
Method
This study used existing data from a study investigating the effects of two common therapies for word retrieval (Morris et al, 2014). It involved 23 individuals with aphasia and included a control condition where 50 pictures were presented for naming on seven occasions (each 6 weeks apart) with no corrective feedback.
Results
Four individuals significantly improved in naming accuracy (on the control items) over the seven sessions, and a further four individuals showed a significant decrease in performance independent of treatment. One additional individual also improved and two more showed a decrease in performance, however, these changes coincided with periods of treatment.
The effect of repeated attempted naming in the control condition did not correlate with changes as a result of treatment across the group. However, of those who showed improvement in the control condition, three of the four also improved in treatment.
In examining what impairment characteristics of individuals might predict the change in performance as a result of attempted naming, no correlation was found with language deficits across all the participants. Aspects of wider cognition were also tested, including use of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). Four participants were not able to complete the task independently and were allocated scores of 70, putting them at the bottom end of average. Performance on the untreated items significantly correlated with performance on the WCST (r=.611, p=.002), and survived correction for multiple comparisons.
Discussion
For four subjects, attempted naming of pictures even when six weeks apart was enough to produce significant improvement. This did not coincide with the treatment periods and so was unlikely to be a generalisation effect of treatment. This is an important qualifier when interpreting the results of treatment studies which use repeated probing. That some individuals showed decreased accuracy is surprising and not identified in comparable studies (e.g. Heath et al, 2015; Nickels, 2002a).
The impact of wider cognition on performance deserves further investigation. Whilst the significant correlation with WCST must be treated with caution (given not all participants were able to complete the task), it is feasible that executive control is required in order to monitor responses and only reinforce the connections between semantic information and the phonological form when the correct target is produced (e.g., Jefferies & Lambon Ralph, 2006). Conversely poor executive function may increase the interference from incorrect naming attempts resulting in poorer performance.
References
Heath, S., McMahon, K. L., Nickels, L. A., Angwin, A., MacDonald, A. D., van Hees, S., & Copland, D. A. (2015). An fMRI investigation of the effects of attempted naming on word retrieval in aphasia. Frontiers in human neuroscience, 9.
Jefferies, E., & Lambon Ralph, M. A. (2006). Semantic impairment in stroke aphasia versus semantic dementia: a case-series comparison. Brain, 129(8), 2132-2147.
Morris, J., Howard, D., & Buerk, F. (2014). SemaFoRe: Comparing word retrieval treatments for aphasia via a randomised crossover trial. Clinical Aphasiology Conference, St Simon’s Island, GA.
Nickels, L. (2002a). Improving word finding: Practice makes (closer to) perfect? Aphasiology, 16(10-11), 1047-1060.
Nickels, L. (2002b). Therapy for naming disorders: Revisiting, revising, and reviewing. Aphasiology, 16(10-11), 935-979.
Keywords:
Aphasia,
attempted naming,
word retrieval,
Repeated attempts,
improved naming
Conference:
54th Annual Academy of Aphasia Meeting, Llandudno, United Kingdom, 16 Oct - 18 Oct, 2016.
Presentation Type:
Poster Sessions
Topic:
Student Submissions
Citation:
Creet
E,
Morris
J,
Howard
D and
Nickels
LA
(2016). Effects of attempted naming on word retrieval for individuals with aphasia.
Front. Psychol.
Conference Abstract:
54th Annual Academy of Aphasia Meeting.
doi: 10.3389/conf.fpsyg.2016.68.00052
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Received:
28 Apr 2016;
Published Online:
15 Aug 2016.
*
Correspondence:
Miss. Ella Creet, Newcastle University, Speech and Language Sciences, School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom, e.creet2@newcastle.ac.uk