Article

We compared the effects of two treatments for aphasic word retrieval impairments,
errorless naming treatment (ENT) and gestural facilitation of naming (GES),
within the same individuals, anticipating that the use of gesture would enhance
the effect of treatment over errorless treatment alone. In addition to picture
naming, we evaluated results for other outcome measures that were largely
untested in earlier ENT studies. In a single participant crossover treatment
design, we examined the effects of ENT and GES in eight individuals with
stroke-induced aphasia and word retrieval impairments (three semantic anomia,
five phonological anomia) in counterbalanced phases across participants. We
evaluated effects of the two treatments for a daily picture naming/gesture
production probe measure and in standardised aphasia tests and communication
rating scales administered across phases of the experiment. Both treatments led
to improvements in naming of trained words (small-to-large effect sizes) in
individuals with semantic and phonological anomia. Small generalised naming
improvements were noted for three individuals with phonological anomia. GES
improved use of corresponding gestures for trained words
(large effect sizes).
Results were largely maintained at one month post-treatment completion. Increases
in scores on standardised aphasia testing also occurred for both ENT and GES
training. Both ENT and GES led to improvements in naming measures, with no clear
difference between treatments. Increased use of gestures following GES provided a
potential compensatory means of communication for those who did not improve
verbal skills. Both treatments are considered to be effective methods to promote
recovery of word retrieval and verbal production skills in individuals with aphasia.

Langue : ANGLAIS