An expanding apraxia of speech (AOS) treatment evidence base: An update of recent developments

ABSTRACT

Background: Empirical study of the effects of treatment for acquired apraxia of speech (AOS) has been ongoing for more than four decades. The evidence-base supporting behavioral therapies for AOS has been systematically reviewed previously. However, a substantial body of AOS treatment research has accumulated which has not been summarized in any form.

Aims: The aim of the current report is to provide an overview of the extant AOS treatment research published since 2012. This summarization is intended to highlight advances that have strengthened or extended the AOS treatment evidence base and is not intended as a systematic review.

Main Contribution: This report is a synopsis of recent AOS treatment research organized according to treatment foci and/or approaches. New research is described relative to the context of existing research to facilitate understanding of the current state of the evidence.

Conclusions: AOS treatment investigations have continued to be focused primarily on articulatory-kinematic approaches, but with increasing attention to specific aspects of treatment that may contribute to outcomes. Interest in musical/rhythmic approaches has seen a resurgence with additional evidence indicating positive effects on speech production abilities. Data supporting approaches that combine AOS and aphasia treatments are now available and advances with technologically enhanced treatments continue. The AOS treatment evidence base continues to benefit from expansion.

KEYWORDS:

• Apraxia of speech
• treatment
• aphasia
• review

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Rehabilitation Research and Development [Research Career Scientist Award #12303897].