Article

We report an intervention study focused on the speech production difficulties
present in acquired apraxia of speech (AOS).
The intervention was a
self-administered computer therapy that targeted whole word production and
incorporated error reduction strategies. The effectiveness of the therapy was
contrasted to that of a visuospatial sham computer program, and performance
across treated words, and two sets of matched words, was assessed. Two groups of
participants completed the study which employed a two-phase cross-over treatment
design. Participants were randomly assigned to a speech first or sham first
condition. Treatments were administered for six weeks, with a four week rest
between interventions. Participants were assessed five times in total; twice at
baseline, once following each of the intervention phases, and once following a
lapse of eight weeks after the end of the second phase of intervention. The
occurrence of accurate word production and speech characterised by struggle and
groping behaviours was recorded on a repetition task. Participants showed
significant gains in speech accuracy and fluency, and reductions in articulatory
groping and struggle behaviours following the use of the speech program. These
gains were largely maintained once the therapy was withdrawn.

Langue : ANGLAIS