Semantic Feature Analysis (DeLong et al., 2015)

Purpose The purpose of this investigation was to systematically examine outcomes associated with Semantic feature analysis, which is an established treatment for word-retrieval deficits in aphasia. Attributes of the experimental design and stimuli were manipulated to evaluate generalized naming of semantically related and unrelated items. In addition, the study was designed to examine changes in production of semantic information.

Method Semantic feature analysis was applied in the context of multiple-baseline designs with 5 persons with chronic aphasia. Experimental items were controlled for semantic category membership, number of naming attempts, and provision of item names. Acquisition, generalization, and maintenance effects were measured in probes of naming performance. Production of semantic information was also measured in response to experimental items and in discourse tasks.

Results Treatment was associated with systematic increases in naming of trained items for 4 of the 5 participants. Positive generalization to untrained exemplars of trained categories was found for repeatedly exposed items but not for limited-exposure items. Slight increases in production of semantic content were observed.

Conclusion Repeated attempts to name untreated items appeared to play a role in generalization. Provision of the names of untrained items may have enhanced generalized responding for 2 participants.

本研究旨在系统地审视与语义特征分析相关的结果，语义特征分析是一种针对失语症中词汇检索缺陷的既定治疗方法。通过操纵实验设计和刺激的属性，本研究评估了语义相关和无关项目的一般命名。此外，研究旨在考察语义信息产生的变化。研究采用多基线设计，对五位慢性失语症患者进行了语义特征分析。实验项目在语义类别归属、命名尝试次数和项目名称提供方面进行了控制。通过命名表现的探测实验，测量了习得、泛化和维持效应。在实验项目和话语任务中，也对语义信息的产生进行了测量。结果表明，对于四位参与者中的四位，治疗与训练项目命名数量的系统增加相关。对于反复接触的项目，发现了对未训练的类别例证的积极泛化，但对于有限接触的项目则没有发现。观察到语义内容的产生略有增加。结论认为，反复尝试命名未经治疗的物品似乎在泛化中起到了作用。为未经训练的物品提供名称可能增强了两位参与者的泛化反应。