Work

Maximizing Generalization of Combined Treatment for Mild Aphasia and Apraxia: Evidence From Three Case Studies

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: PURPOSE: Approximately 44% of individuals with chronic aphasia also present with apraxia of speech, necessitating integrated treatment approaches to optimize recovery. This study examined the effects of a combined treatment protocol, leveraging Treatment of Underlying Forms (TUF) and a modified version of Sound Production Treatment (SPT), on language and speech outcomes in individuals with mild aphasia and apraxia. METHOD: Three participants underwent treatment involving alternating and combined TUF and modified SPT. The pre- and posttreatment assessments included standardized and treatment-specific speech and language measures. RESULTS: The results indicated significant improvements in the production of both trained and untrained items with similar syntactic and articulatory complexities, whereas generalization to simpler targets varied among participants. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that combined TUF/modified SPT may enhance speech and language outcomes, warranting further investigation of individual variability in treatment responses and generalization patterns.

Source: American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology

DOI: 10.1044/2025_ajslp-24-00401

Authors: Ellyn A. Riley, Hannah Rembrandt, Jennifer Fortin, Ramani Voleti

Institution: Syracuse University

Language: English

Topic: Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism

Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: Syracuse University, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders