Aphasia treatment: Intensity, dose parameters, and script training

Abstract

Studies of aphasia treatment have shown that intensive speech-language therapy is associated with significant improvements. However, there is no standard definition of intensity and the simplistic notion that “more is better” is not necessarily supported by the research. First, current evidence regarding intensity and aphasia treatment was briefly summarized. Second, studies that directly compare conditions of higher- and lower-intensity treatment for aphasia were reviewed with regard to the inclusion of parameters that contribute to a definition of intensity. In addition to five parameters proposed by and highlighted by , total number of sessions was also often documented. The review illustrated the complexity of quantifying the dose of comprehensive treatments that target multiple modalities and utilize a variety of different strategies. Third, data from a study reporting a relationship between intensive computer-based script training and outcomes in aphasia were examined. Results serve to illustrate Baker's contention that intensity alone is insufficient without also considering the active ingredients of the teaching episode. Information about dose, therapeutic inputs, and client acts can lead to better optimization of an intervention.

Keywords::

• Aphasia
• treatment
• intensity
• dose
• script training

Acknowledgement

Supported in part by Grant 1R01 DC011754 from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health.

Declaration of interest: The author reports no conflicts of interest. The author alone is responsible for the content and writing of the paper.