Efficacy of using music therapy combined with traditional aphasia and apraxia of speech treatments
- WCU Author/Contributor (non-WCU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Debra Jean Aitken Dunham (Creator)
- Institution
- Western Carolina University (WCU )
- Web Site: http://library.wcu.edu/
- Advisor
- K. Leigh Morrow-Odom
Abstract: The literature suggests that music therapy is effective in the treatment of aphasia
and apraxia of speech (AOS) (Beathard & Krout, 2008; Robey, 1998). To date, no
studies have been conducted to determine if traditional speech-language therapy
combined with music therapy leads to a more successful treatment outcome than
traditional approaches alone. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of
utilizing music therapy in addition to traditional speech-language treatment in persons
with chronic, stroke-induced aphasia and concomitant AOS. Using alternating treatment,
single-subject design, two persons with acquired aphasia and AOS following a single
stroke participated in weekly speech-language therapy three times a week for nine weeks
to target expressive speech and language. Traditional treatment approaches included
Cueing Hierarchy to improve overt naming of selected targets and the Eight-Step Task
Continuum to improve speech sound production. The music therapy protocol followed
the protocol established by Kim and Tomaino (2008), and included singing, breathing,
oral-motor, and intonation exercises. The data collected included rate of acquisition of
targets during each treatment block and retention of targets at three- and six-weeks
following the end of each treatment block. These data suggest that both participants
demonstrated improved speech production and oral naming skills following both
treatment approaches. Further, both participants demonstrated improvements on
standardized assessments. These data further suggest that not only do both participants
demonstrate the greatest treatment effects following the traditional treatment combined
with music therapy but also that these treatment effects continued after the music therapy
component was removed from treatment.
Efficacy of using music therapy combined with traditional aphasia and apraxia of speech treatments
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Created on 4/1/2010
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- Language: English
- Date: 2010
- Subjects
- Aphasia -- Treatment
- Apraxia -- Treatment
- Speech therapy
- Music therapy -- Research
- Speech therapy -- Research