Modified response elaboration training: application to procedural discourse and personal recounts

Area of Science:

• Speech and Language Therapy
• Neurolinguistics
• Aphasia Rehabilitation

Background:

• Aphasia affects communication after brain injury.
• Response Elaboration Training (RET) is a known therapy.
• Modifications to RET may enhance treatment efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a modified RET (M-RET) for individuals with mild to moderate aphasia.
• To assess M-RET's effectiveness on procedural discourse and personal recounts.
• To measure changes in the production of correct information units (CIUs).

Main Methods:

• Three participants with chronic aphasia underwent M-RET.
• A multiple baseline design was used to apply M-RET sequentially.
• Production of CIUs was the primary outcome measure.

Main Results:

• Participants 2 and 3 showed increased CIU production after M-RET for procedures.
• M-RET for personal recounts did not consistently increase CIUs in that category.
• Gains were maintained at 3 and 6 weeks post-treatment, with strong effect sizes for procedures.

Conclusions:

• Modified RET applied to procedural discourse is a promising treatment for aphasia.
• M-RET offers a viable option for improving communication in mild to moderate aphasia.
• Further research into M-RET applications is warranted.