Phonologic Rehabilitation of Anomia in Aphasia

This study investigated the effects of an intensive phonologic treatment for anomia in aphasia. The theoretical motivation for this investigation was based on a parallel distributed processing model of phonology (Nadeau, 2001). We proposed that if treatment were directed at the level of the phonologic processor (e.g. phonemes and phoneme sequences), opportunities for naming via a phonological route, as opposed to a strictly whole word route, would be enhanced, thereby improving naming. Ten individuals with chronic anomia and aphasia due to left hemisphere stroke served as participants. A single-subject, repeated probe design with replication across individuals was employed. The primary outcome measure was confrontation naming. Secondary outcome measures included discourse production (word count and content information units), phonologic production and nonword repetition. Data were analyzed visually and statistically. Results showed a positive treatment effect (improved phonologic production) and generalization to confrontation naming and discourse production (word count and content information units). Effects of treatment were maintained 3 months post treatment termination for confrontation naming and discourse production (content information units). The results of this study provide sufficient evidence of efficacy to encourage further research.