Treatment Efficacy: The Computer as a Treatment Supplement for Improving Word Comprehension and Production in Aphasic Adults

Chung, Yoo Jin; Kim, Young Tae; Sim, Hyun Sub; Nam, Ki Chun; Kwon, Mi Seon

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Commun Sci Disord. 2003;8(3): 112-133.

Yoo Jin Chung^` , Young Tae Kim^` , Hyun Sub Sim^` , Ki Chun Nam^` , and Mi Seon Kwon^`

정유진(Yoo Jin Chung)| 김영태(Young Tae Kim)| 심현섭(Hyun Sub Sim)| 남기춘(Ki Chun Nam)| 권미선(Mi Seon Kwon)

ABSTRACT

The effects of computer treatment program providing word comprehension and production activities on language performance in aphasic adults were examined with a single subject. design. Three aphasic patients have received intensive training on the Etalkie program: Two patients with Broca's aphasia and one with conduction aphasia. The three subjects were selected from patients who visited the medical center for aphasia assessment. Multiple probe design across subjects was utilized to examine treatment efficacy and generalization. Twenty treatment sessions followed, with four treatment phases respectively consisting of at most five sessions. Sessions took place three times a week. Percentages of correct answers to words were taken in order to measure treatment efficacy as well as generalization during the baseline phases and treatment phases. The percentage of correct answers was scored with O/X coding system. The results indicated that (1) naming ability was facilitated by computer based word comprehension and production treatment program and (2) the treatment effects were generalized to non-trained items and picture card stimuli. This study suggests that computer based treatment program is beneficial to word comprehension and production.