Using Open-Source Software to Help Spanish Speakers With Aphasia Learn Everyday Sentences: A Single-Case Experimental...

Area of Science:

• Speech and Language Therapy
• Neurolinguistics
• Digital Health Interventions

Background:

• Aphasia affects Spanish speakers (SSWA) with limited evidence-based treatment options.
• Script training is effective for English speakers but needs adaptation for SSWA.
• Accessible digital interventions are crucial for SSWA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the acceptability and usability of a novel script training intervention for SSWA.
• To evaluate the preliminary efficacy of this intervention delivered via open-source software.
• To implement adaptive distributed practice within the script training for SSWA.

Main Methods:

• Six SSWA participated in a 6-week single-subject multiple-baseline study.
• Intervention utilized open-source software with adaptive distributed practice.
• Acceptability (CSQ-8) and usability (SUS) were assessed, alongside sentence learning efficacy.

Main Results:

• Participants rated the software-based script training as acceptable and usable.
• Bayesian models showed robust, sustained treatment effects.
• On average, participants learned 31 out of 45 scripted sentences.

Conclusions:

• An evidence-based script training intervention was successfully adapted for SSWA.
• The software-delivered approach demonstrated excellent usability, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy.
• This digital intervention shows promise for improving communication in SSWA.