The main aim of the study is to investigate the effect of a novel, speeded anomia therapy (Conroy et al., 2018) in a large population of patients with chronic post-stroke aphasia. The treatment will be delivered via a web application (QuickWord).
The main aim is to test the clinical efficacy of a novel, web based, rehabilitation approach to aphasic word-finding difficulties (QuickWord). In an initial development and case-series evaluation, Conroy et al (2018, Brain) found that training for both speed as well as accuracy of naming generated much better outcomes to picture naming accuracy and also augmented the carry-over to connected speech production. This is a randomised, crossover, clinical trial of QuickWord in a group of aphasic patients in the chronic post-stroke period. The comparison will be standard care. The main outcome measures are clinically relevant improvement in naming to confrontation, and spontaneous use of the target vocabulary in a connected speech sample (detailed picture description). Secondary outcome includes measured use of the vocabulary in a story-telling, connected speech assessment (retelling of the Cinderella story).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
100
The speeded anomia therapy was introduced as RISP (Repeated, Increasingly Speeded Production) by Conroy et al. (2018). Participants are asked to name the picture presented to them before an auditory stimulus ('beep' sound) at the end of item presentation. In each session the allotted response time is gradually reduced. After an incorrect response, participants are asked to repeat the word three times.
MRC Cognition & Brain Sciences Unit
Cambridge, United Kingdom
RECRUITINGSpeeded anomia therapy effect in reaction time
Change in reaction time in single-item picture naming
Time frame: Measured over 10 weeks (Week 0, Week 2, Week 4, Week 6, Week 10)
Speeded anomia therapy effect in accuracy
Change in accuracy in single-item picture naming
Time frame: Measured over 10 weeks (Week 0, Week 2, Week 4, Week 6, Week 10)
Generalisation to connected speech
Change in word retrieval in composite picture description. Participants will be asked to describe composite pictures (from the "Where's Waldo/Wally?" publications).
Time frame: Measured over 10 weeks (Week 0, Week 2, Week 4, Week 6, Week 10)
Generalisation to story-telling connected speech
Change in narrative speech production. Participants will be asked to narrate the Cinderella story. A checklist with some of the most frequently used nouns (data obtained from AphasiaBank database) will be used.
Time frame: Measured over 10 weeks (Week 0, Week 2, Week 4, Week 6, Week 10)
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