Measuring change in spontaneous speech production during the course of aphasia: Computer-assisted analysis of basic parameters

Spontaneous speech samples of 28 patients were analyzed using a computer-assisted method before and after seven weeks of intensive language treatment. We focussed on the following four basic parameters: percentage words, percentage open class words, syntactic completeness and MLU. A 3-factorial-ANOVA revealed a significant main effect for type of aphasia (fluent vs. non-fluent) for all four parameters. In comparison with a conventional rating scale, the basic parameters proved to be much more sensitive to change. Thus, the computer-assisted analysis of basic parameters represents a clinically applicable instrument to measure even small changes during the course of recovery from aphasia

Basic parameters of spontaneous speech as a sensitive method for measuring change during the course of aphasia

Grande M, Hussmann K, Bay E, et al. Basic parameters of spontaneous speech as a sensitive method for measuring change during the course of aphasia. International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders. 2008;43(4):408-426

Basisparameter ungestörter Spontansprache: Voraussetzung für die Aphasiediagnostik

Meffert E, Grande M, Hussmann K, et al. Basisparameter ungestörter Spontansprache: Voraussetzung für die Aphasiediagnostik. Sprache-Stimme-Gehör. 2010;34(03):e16-e23

Computer-assisted analysis of spontaneous speech: quantification of basic parameters in aphasic and unimpaired language

Hussmann K, Grande M, Meffert E, et al. Computer-assisted analysis of spontaneous speech: quantification of basic parameters in aphasic and unimpaired language. Clinical Linguistics & Phonetics. 2012;26(8):661-680.Although generally accepted as an important part of aphasia assessment, detailed analysis of spontaneous speech is rarely carried out in clinical practice mostly due to time limitations. The Aachener Sprachanalyse (ASPA; Aachen Speech Analysis) is a computer-assisted method for the quantitative analysis of German spontaneous speech that allows for a detailed assessment by means of linguistic basic parameters in an acceptable amount of time. It has previously been proven sensitive for monitoring changes over time. In this study, we present data of 52 aphasic participants whose spontaneous speech was analyzed retrospectively before and after an intensive therapy program. The measured changes are evaluated with reference to normative data of 60 non-brain-damaged speakers. Results confirm good sensitivity to document changes over time. Clinical relevance of changes is assessed with reference to critical score ranges derived from the normative data. Findings provide further evidence of the clinical applicability and usefulness of ASPA

Measuring Verbal Reasoning and Executive Strategies in German Speaking People with Cognitive-Communication Disorders: Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Pilot Testing of the FAVRES-DE

Quinting J, Stenneken P, Mahlke A, et al. Measuring Verbal Reasoning and Executive Strategies in German Speaking People with Cognitive-Communication Disorders: Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Pilot Testing of the FAVRES-DE. Aphasiology . 2022.Background Cognitive communication disorders (CCDs) are a hallmark of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Difficulties may be relatively subtle, becoming especially evident in complex communication situations which place a higher cognitive demand on the person affected. To date, no standardised, ecologically valid assessment tool for detecting these subtle CCDs exists for German. The Functional Assessment of Verbal Reasoning and Executive Strategies (FAVRES; (MacDonald, 2005)), available in English and Canadian-French, is designed to detect subtle CCDs after acquired brain-injury (ABI) using real-life scenarios. Aims This study aims to translate and adapt the FAVRES into German as well as to gather reference data on the performance of neurologically healthy adults. Furthermore, the study conducts a first evaluation of age- and education-specific performance trends and interrater-reliability. Results are compared with the normative data of the original English version and the French-Canadian translation. In addition, an exploratory multiple case analysis of the feasibility of the FAVRES-DE and its capability to detect subtle CCDs on a sample of four adults with TBI is conducted. Methods & Procedures The original version of the FAVRES was translated and adapted based on the ITC-Guidelines for Translating and Adapting Tests (2016). The resulting German version, the FAVRES-DE, was completed by 60 neurologically healthy adults (32 women) and four adults with chronic CCD after TBI (>= 6 months post onset) in a pilot cross-sectional study. Results The FAVRES-DE was feasible with all participants. Age and education had significant influence on the performance of the neurologically healthy group, whose results were comparable to the original version and to the French-Canadian normative study, but analyses revealed differences in several subscores. Two of the four participants with TBI exhibited a significantly lower performance than the control group. Analyses of interrater-reliability revealed a high level of agreement between three independent raters. Discussion The FAVRES-DE seems to be a sensitive measure to identify CCDs after TBI. The challenges of detecting subtle CCDs are exemplified by one of the TBI cases. Further validation and psychometric testing of the FAVRES-DE on a representative dataset is warranted

Measuring Verbal Reasoning and Executive Strategies in German Speaking People with Cognitive-Communication Disorders: Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Pilot Testing of the FAVRES-DE

Background Cognitive communication disorders (CCDs) are a hallmark of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Difficulties may be relatively subtle, becoming especially evident in complex communication situations which place a higher cognitive demand on the person affected. To date, no standardised, ecologically valid assessment tool for detecting these subtle CCDs exists for German. The Functional Assessment of Verbal Reasoning and Executive Strategies (FAVRES; (MacDonald, 2005)), available in English and Canadian-French, is designed to detect subtle CCDs after acquired brain-injury (ABI) using real-life scenarios. Aims This study aims to translate and adapt the FAVRES into German as well as to gather reference data on the performance of neurologically healthy adults. Furthermore, the study conducts a first evaluation of age- and education-specific performance trends and interrater-reliability. Results are compared with the normative data of the original English version and the French-Canadian translation. In addition, an exploratory multiple case analysis of the feasibility of the FAVRES-DE and its capability to detect subtle CCDs on a sample of four adults with TBI is conducted. Methods & Procedures The original version of the FAVRES was translated and adapted based on the ITC-Guidelines for Translating and Adapting Tests (2016). The resulting German version, the FAVRES-DE, was completed by 60 neurologically healthy adults (32 women) and four adults with chronic CCD after TBI (>= 6 months post onset) in a pilot cross-sectional study. Results The FAVRES-DE was feasible with all participants. Age and education had significant influence on the performance of the neurologically healthy group, whose results were comparable to the original version and to the French-Canadian normative study, but analyses revealed differences in several subscores. Two of the four participants with TBI exhibited a significantly lower performance than the control group. Analyses of interrater-reliability revealed a high level of agreement between three independent raters. Discussion The FAVRES-DE seems to be a sensitive measure to identify CCDs after TBI. The challenges of detecting subtle CCDs are exemplified by one of the TBI cases. Further validation and psychometric testing of the FAVRES-DE on a representative dataset is warranted