Park, Ju Yeon
(2024)
Efficacy of Semantic Priming to Improve Comprehension and Expression of Sentences (SPICES), a Novel Treatment Approach for Veterans with Aphasia.
Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
Aphasia, a language disorder often resulting from stroke or brain injury, severely impacts life participation and quality of life. Characterized by difficulties in both producing and comprehending language across various modalities, aphasia commonly presents as impaired word retrieval. Behavioral treatments have been developed to address these impairments, focusing on lexical processes implicated in language production breakdowns. Many of these treatment approaches operate on the premise of activating semantic networks in memory through structured practice. While existing treatments like Verb Network Strengthening Training (VNeST) have shown efficacy in improving sentence production, difficulties with verb retrieval and generalization to untrained stimuli persist. To address this gap, a novel treatment approach named Semantic Priming to Improve Comprehension and Expression of Sentences (SPICES) was developed, drawing on similar theoretical frameworks of semantic network activation. SPICES incorporates semantic priming from nouns to related verbs, providing targeted, intensive practice to enhance verb retrieval and sentence production. Initial clinical observations of SPICES suggest promising outcomes in improving sentence production and noun and verb retrieval. This study seeks to further evaluate the efficacy of SPICES in facilitating accurate and efficient sentence production, contributing to the advancement of semantically based treatment approaches for aphasia. Results showed notable improvements in production probes and sentence production efficiency, as well as self-reported communicative functioning in daily life, though no clinically significant changes were observed in overall aphasia severity. These findings suggest SPICES' promise in enhancing comprehension and production, urging further development and refinement, including stimulus norming and protocol adjustments for future trial.
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
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| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
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| ETD Committee: |
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| Date: |
6 June 2024 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Defense Date: |
21 March 2024 |
| Approval Date: |
6 June 2024 |
| Submission Date: |
10 April 2024 |
| Access Restriction: |
1 year -- Restrict access to University of Pittsburgh for a period of 1 year. |
| Number of Pages: |
62 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences > Communication Science and Disorders |
| Degree: |
MS - Master of Science |
| Thesis Type: |
Master's Thesis |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
aphasia, aphasia treatment, receptive language, expressive language, semantic processing, semantic memory, spreading activation, priming |
| Date Deposited: |
06 Jun 2024 14:00 |
| Last Modified: |
06 Jun 2024 14:00 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/46086 |
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