31 research outputs found
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Stuttering generalization self-measure: preliminary development of a self-measuring tool
Objectives: The reader will become knowledgeable about 1) the relationship between stuttering severity and speech-anxiety level, and 2) the importance of assessing the generalization effect in different social speaking situations. Additionally, the reader will understand the processes of validating the Stuttering Generalization Self-Measure.
Abstract
Introduction: Generalization of treatment is considered a difficult task for clinicians and people who stutter (PWS), and can constitute a barrier to long-term treatment success. To our knowledge, there are no standardized tests that collect measurement of the behavioral and cognitive aspects alongside the clientās self-perception in real-life speaking situations.
Purpose: This paper describes the development of a Stuttering Generalization Self-Measure (SGSM). The purpose of SGSM is to assess 1) stuttering severity and 2) speech-anxiety level during real-life situations as perceived by PWS. Additionally, this measurement aims to 3) investigate correlations between stuttering severity and speech-anxiety level within the same real-life situation.
Method: The SGSM includes speaking situations that are developed to cover a variety of frequent speaking situations. These items were created according to five listener categories (family and close friends, acquaintances, strangers, persons of authority, and giving a short speech to small audience). Forty-three participants (22 PWS, and 21 control) aged 18 to 53 years were asked to complete the assessment in real-life situations.
Results: Preliminary analyses indicated that test-retest reliability was high for both groups. Discriminant validity was also achieved as the SGSM scores significantly differed between the two groups for stuttering and speech-anxiety. Convergent validity was confirmed by significant correlations between the SGSM and other speech-related anxiety measures
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The relation between content and structure in language production: an analysis of speech errors in semantic dementia
In order to explore the impact of a degraded semantic system on the structure of language production, we
analysed transcripts from autobiographical memory interviews to identify naturally-occurring speech
errors by eight patients with semantic dementia (SD) and eight age-matched normal speakers. Relative to controls, patients were significantly more likely to (a) substitute and omit open class words, (b) substitute (but not omit) closed class words, (c) substitute incorrect complex morphological forms and (d) produce semantically and/or syntactically anomalous sentences. Phonological errors were scarce in both groups. The study confirms previous evidence of SD patientsā problems with open class content words
which are replaced by higher frequency, less specific terms. It presents the first evidence that SD patients
have problems with closed class items and make syntactic as well as semantic speech errors, although these grammatical abnormalities are mostly subtle rather than gross. The results can be explained by the semantic deficit which disrupts the representation of a pre-verbal message, lexical retrieval and the early stages of grammatical encoding
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Ever decreasing circles: speech production in semantic dementia
We explored the impact of a degraded semantic system on lexical, morphological and syntactic complexity in language production. We analysed transcripts from connected speech
samples from eight patients with semantic dementia (SD) and eight age-matched healthy speakers. The frequency distributions of nouns and verbs were compared for hand-scored data and data extracted using text-analysis software. Lexical measures showed the predicted pattern for nouns and verbs in hand-scored data, and for nouns in software-extracted data, with fewer low frequency items in the speech of the patients relative to controls. The
distribution of complex morpho-syntactic forms for the SD group showed a reduced range, with fewer constructions that required multiple auxiliaries and inflections. Finally, the distribution of syntactic constructions also differed between groups, with a pattern that reflects the patientsā characteristic anomia and constraints on morpho-syntactic complexity. The data are in line with previous findings of an absence of gross syntactic errors or violations in SD speech. Alterations in the distributions of morphology and syntax, however, support constraint satisfaction models of speech production in which there is no hard boundary between lexical retrieval and grammatical encoding
TMS SMART ā scalp mapping of annoyance ratings and twitches caused by Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Background: The magnetic pulse generated during transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) also stimulates cutaneous nerves and muscle fibres, with the most commonly reported side effect being muscle twitches and sometimes painful sensations. These sensations affect behaviour during experimental tasks, presenting a potential confound for āonlineā TMS studies.
New method: Our objective was to systematically map the degree of disturbance (ratings of annoyance, pain, and muscle twitches) caused by TMS at 43 locations across the scalp. Ten participants provided ratings whilst completing a choice reaction time task, and ten different participants provided ratings whilst completing a 'flanker' reaction time task.
Results: TMS over frontal and inferior regions resulted in the highest ratings of annoyance, pain, and muscle twitches caused by TMS. We predicted the difference in reaction times (RT) under TMS by scalp location and subjective ratings. Frontal and inferior scalp locations showed the greatest cost to RTs under TMS (i.e., slowing), with midline sites showing no or minimal slowing. Increases in subjective ratings of disturbance predicted longer RTs under TMS. Critically, ratings were a better predictor of the cost of TMS than scalp location or scalp-to-cortex distance. The more difficult āflankerā task showed a greater effect of subjective disturbance.
Comparison with existing methods: We provide the data as an online resource (www.tms-smart.info) so that researchers can select control sites that account for the level of general interference in task performance caused by online single-pulse TMS.
Conclusions: The peripheral sensations and discomfort caused by TMS pulses significantly and systematically influence RTs during single-pulse, online TMS experiments.
The raw data are available at www.tms-smart.info and https://osf.io/f49vn
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Best practice guidance for linear mixed-effects models in psychological science
The use of Linear Mixed-effects Models (LMMs) is set to dominate statistical analyses in psychological science and may become the default approach to analyzing quantitative data. The rapid growth in adoption of LMMs has been matched by a proliferation of differences in practice. Unless this diversity is recognized, and checked, the field shall reap enormous difficulties in the future when attempts are made to consolidate or synthesize research findings. Here we examine this diversity using two methods ā a survey of researchers (n=163) and a quasi-systematic review of papers using LMMs (n=400). The survey reveals substantive concerns among psychologists using or planning to use LMMs and an absence of agreed standards. The review of papers complements the survey, showing variation in how the models are built, how effects are evaluated and, most worryingly, how models are reported. Using these data as our departure point, we present a set of best practice guidance, focusing on the reporting of LMMs. It is the authorsā intention that the paper supports a step-change in the reporting of LMMs across the psychological sciences, preventing a trajectory in which findings reported today cannot be transparently understood and used tomorrow
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When semantics aids phonology: a processing advantage for iconic word forms in aphasia
Iconicity is the non-arbitrary relation between properties of a phonological form and semantic content (e.g. āmooā, āsplashā). It is a common feature of both spoken and signed languages, and recent evidence shows that iconic forms confer an advantage during word learning. We explored whether iconic forms conferred a processing advantage for 13 individuals with aphasia following left-hemisphere stroke. Iconic and control words were compared in four different tasks: repetition, reading aloud, auditory lexical decision and visual lexical decision. An advantage for iconic words was seen for some individuals in all tasks, with consistent group effects emerging in reading aloud and auditory lexical decision. Both these tasks rely on mapping between semantics and phonology. We conclude that iconicity aids spoken word processing for individuals with aphasia. This advantage may be due to a stronger connection between semantic information and phonological forms
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Coming of age: a review of embodiment and the neuroscience of semantics
Over the last decade, there has been an increasing body of work that explores whether sensory and motor information is a necessary part of semantic representation and processing. This is the embodiment hypothesis. This paper presents a theoretical review of this work that is intended to be useful for researchers in the neurosciences and neuropsychology. Beginning with a historical perspective, relevant theories are placed on a continuum from strongly embodied to completely unembodied representations. Predictions are derived and neuroscientific and neuropsychological evidence that could support different theories is reviewed; finally, criticisms of embodiment are discussed. We conclude that strongly embodied and completely disembodied theories are not supported, and that the remaining theories agree that semantic representation involves some form of Convergence Zones (Damasio, 1989) and the activation of modal content. For the future, research must carefully define the boundaries of semantic processing and tackle the representation of abstract entities
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Early childhood predictors of anxiety in early adolescence
This longitudinal study examined a multitude of early childhood predictors of anxiety symptoms and disorders over an 8-year period. The purpose of the study was to identify early life predictors of anxiety across childhood and early adolescence in a sample of at-risk children. The sample included 202 preschool children initially identified as behaviorally inhibited or uninhibited between the ages of 3 years 2 months and 4 years 5 months. Temperament and familial environment variables were assessed using observation and parent report at baseline. Anxiety symptoms and disorders were assessed using questionnaires and diagnostic interviews at baseline (age 4), and at age 6, 9 and 12 years. In line with our hypotheses, the findings showed that preschool children were more likely to experience anxiety symptoms and disorders over time i) when the child was inhibited, ii) when there was a history of maternal anxiety disorders or iii) when mothers displayed high levels of overinvolvement. Further, the study identified a significant interaction effect between temperament and maternal overvinvolvement such that behaviorally inhibited preschoolers had higher anxiety symptoms at age 12, only in the presence of maternal overinvolvement at age 4. The increased risk of anxiety in inhibited children was mitigated when mothers demonstrated low levels of overinvolvement at age 4. This study provides evidence of both additive and interactive effects of temperament and family environment on the development of anxiety and provides important information for the identification of families who will most likely benefit from targeted early intervention
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From informal to formal: the preliminary psychometric evaluation of the short aphasia test for Gulf Arabic speakers (SATG)
Background: Speech and language therapists in Gulf Arabic countries still rely on informal aphasia and/or translated Western-language assessments to assess the language proficiency of people with aphasia. However, these tests are not sensitive to the linguistic and cultural features of the Arabic language, which may lead to inaccurate diagnosis. This paper describes the preliminary development and the preliminary psychometric evaluation of the short aphasia test for Gulf Arabic speaker (SATG).
Method: The aim was to develop and preliminary assess the psychometric properties of the SATG. Three phases determined whether subtests and tasks were culturally and linguistically appropriate for Gulf Arabic populations. The test consists of six sections that assess different language skills: semi-spontaneous speech, auditory comprehension, repetition, naming, automatic speech, recitation, reading and writing. Together, these aim to detect the absence or presence of aphasia and provide a broad classification of aphasia syndrome (fluent and non-fluent).
Result: The SATG takes 20 minutes to complete. It was administered to 37 healthy adult controls and 31 people with aphasia post-stroke. In this pilot study the SATG demonstrated good to excellent reliability over time and from one clinician to another. The SATG was found to have face, content and concurrent validity.
Conclusion: Preliminary results indicate that the SATG is a reliable and valid aphasia assessment. Further study is needed to examine the efficacy of the SATG to screen for the presence of aphasia (i.e. differentiate between those with and without aphasia post-stroke), distinguish severity levels for aphasia, and to improve standardisation with a wider range of control participants
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Exploring illustration styles for materials used in visual resources for people with aphasia
Images are often used in cueing therapy and other kinds of rehabilitation activities for people with an acquired brain injury. This paper presents a small-scale pilot study, which explores the appropriateness of different styles of illustration applied to visual resources used in combination with assistive technologies for people with aphasia. The study is part of a larger multidisciplinary project exploring how assistive technologies can be used to facilitate maximal engagement with rehabilitation and to facilitate communication and reengagement with hobbies and leisure activities. The study explored participantsā preferences and impressions of the materials with a view to informing design choices made for resources developed for the larger project.
Three participants with aphasia participated in a focus group in which they were shown examples of materials developed as resources for cueing therapy and lifestyle activities. Four sets of illustrations varying in visual complexity ā from icons with no context to illustrations with developed backgrounds ā were shown at two sizes (A3 and A4). Participants shared their impressions of ease of use and their preferences for different levels of visual complexity in the illustrations, as well as changes in format and layout (combinations of six, nine and 12 images per board).
Based on previous research and existing guidelines for good practice, we had anticipated that participants would find the contextualised examples more meaningful. However, our findings highlighted that participants preferred simple, icon-style illustrations rather than those with contextual detail. Participantsā comments suggested that familiarity with this style of illustration ā based on their everyday engagement with mobile interfaces ā was a likely explanation for this