A Novel Morphology-Based Naming Therapy for People with Aphasia

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that naming treatments can improve language abilities in people with aphasia (PWA). However, there is currently a lack of protocols for evidence-based naming treatment in Hebrew. Aims: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a novel morphology-based naming treatment for Hebrew-speaking PWA and to investigate subject-related factors influence responsiveness to the treatment. Method & Procedures: Twelve chronic stroke PWA and moderate to severe anomia participated in 20 treatment sessions focused on the root-structure morphology of Hebrew. Treatment stimuli incorporated morphologically complex words comprising root and template. Treatment effects were assessed at both subject level and group level. Outcomes & Results: The treatment showed promising results, with a significant increase in correct naming for both treated and untreated complex words. These gains were maintained for at least 10 weeks post-treatment. Most of the benefit was achieved during the first 10 treatment sessions. Additionally, the group demonstrated generalization effects to naming simple words. Pre-treatment performance in naming morphologically complex words predicted higher treatment gains during the follow-up session, irrespective of word type. Conclusions: These findings provide preliminary evidence supporting the efficacy of root-based naming treatment for Hebrew-speaking PWA. Future research should compare this treatment to an untreated control group and to other treatment methods in Hebrew speakers to further validate its benefits.