Bilingual Abstract Semantic Associative Network Training (BAbSANT): A Polish-English case study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psycholinguistics
• Speech-Language Pathology

Background:

• Anomia is a common deficit in aphasia, affecting word retrieval.
• Bilingual individuals with aphasia (B-PWA) present unique challenges in therapy due to their dual language systems.
• Previous research suggests abstract word training may enhance semantic processing and generalization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate a novel anomia therapy, Bilingual Abstract Semantic Associative Network Training (BAbSANT), for B-PWA.
• To investigate the effects of training abstract words in the dominant versus nondominant language on within- and cross-language generalization.
• To explore the role of cognitive control in treatment outcomes for B-PWA.

Main Methods:

• A single-subject A1BA2CA3 design was employed.
• The participant was a Polish-English bilingual individual with post-stroke aphasia, with Polish as the native and dominant language.
• Therapy involved abstract word training in Polish (Phase B) and English (Phase C), preceded and followed by baseline and withdrawal phases, alongside cognitive control assessment.

Main Results:

• Within-language generalization of trained abstract words was observed regardless of the language of instruction, consistent with findings in monolingual aphasia.
• Cross-language generalization occurred only when abstract words were trained in the participant's stronger (native Polish) language, contrary to the initial hypothesis.
• Cognitive control deficits were considered in relation to the observed pattern of generalization.

Conclusions:

• BAbSANT demonstrates efficacy in improving anomia in B-PWA.
• Abstract word training supports within-language generalization in bilingual aphasia.
• The dominant language appears crucial for cross-language generalization in this case, suggesting cognitive control plays a significant role in therapeutic outcomes for B-PWA.