Comprehension of Abstract and Concrete Commands by High and Low Level Aphasic Subjects: Effects of Presentation Mode

Abstract

This study examined the effects of live voice (LV), tape recorded (TR) and videotape recorded (VTR) presentations on high and low level aphasic subjects' auditory comprehension of abstract and concrete token test commands. Subjects' understanding of Token Test commands was not influenced significantly by mode of presentation. The performances of high-comprehension and low-comprehension aphasic groups was not significantly different. Analysis of weighted token test scores, but not plus-minus scores, showed subjects to perform significantly better on concrete than abstract token test commands. Clinical implications emerging from the study are 1) that the Token Test should probably be delivered by tape recorder to standardize presentation and 2) that the use of recorded stimuli may provide a valuable adjunctive means of providing auditory comprehension training for some aphasic clients.