Video-based conversational script training for aphasia: A therapy study

摘要

Background: Chronic aphasia is a lifelong handicap that often leads to social isolation, loss of autonomy, and restricted social activities. Hence it is essential to develop cost-effective therapeutic approaches that enable people with aphasia to practise language skills in real-life contexts. Over the last several years there has been a shift from impairment-oriented language therapy to functional approaches that train language skills in more realistic contexts. Studies performed in the cognitive neurosciences have produced evidence that massed practice and forced use are essential for achieving sustained learning success in patients with aphasia. Conversational script training is based on the theory that massed practice of a whole task is likely to result in automatic and effortless language output that may facilitate participation in everyday life activities. To enhance automatisation of script use cue-based massed drilling is required. Computers are an ideal and cost-effective medium for the implementation of this massed practice and drill. Several studies have documented the positive effects of computer treatment for people grappling with the effects of long-lasting aphasia.