Compensating arithmetic ability with derived fact strategies in Broca’s aphasia: a case report

ABSTRACT

We investigated derived fact strategy use in RR, an aphasic patient with severely impaired working memory (no phonological loop), and 16 neurologically healthy matched controls. Participants were tested on derived fact strategy use in multi-digit addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. RR’s accuracy only differed from controls in multiplication. He was as quick as controls in addition and subtraction when able to use the strategies, though significantly slower in addition, division, and multiplication without strategies. Our findings suggest the phonological loop is non-essential for multi-digit arithmetic, and derived fact strategies can help speed up arithmetic in individuals with impaired working memory.

KEYWORDS:

• Broca’s aphasia
• verbal working memory
• arithmetic
• derived fact strategies
• stroke

Acknowledgements

We thank RR for his kind participation and Prof John Crawford and colleagues for making the case analysis programs freely available online.

ORCID

Nele Demeyere http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0416-5147

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute for Health Research Oxford Cognitive Health Clinical Research Facility; and Stroke Association, UK [grant number TSA LECT 2015/02].