Verbal Processing Speed and Executive Functioning in Long-Term Cochlear Implant Users (AuBuchon et al., 2015)

<b>Purpose</b> The purpose of this study was to report how verbal rehearsal speed (VRS), a form of covert speech used to maintain verbal information in working memory, and another verbal processing speed measure, perceptual encoding speed, are related to 3 domains of executive function (EF) at risk in cochlear implant (CI) users: verbal working memory, fluency-speed, and inhibition-concentration. <br><b>Method</b> EF, speech perception, and language outcome measures were obtained from 55 prelingually deaf, long-term CI users and matched controls with normal hearing (NH controls). Correlational analyses were used to assess relations between VRS (articulation rate), perceptual encoding speed (digit and color naming), and the outcomes in each sample. <br><b>Results </b>CI users displayed slower verbal processing speeds than NH controls. Verbal rehearsal speed was related to 2 EF domains in the NH sample but was unrelated to EF outcomes in CI users. Perceptual encoding speed was related to all EF domains in both groups. <br><b>Conclusions</b> Verbal rehearsal speed may be less influential for EF quality in CI users than for NH controls, whereas rapid automatized labeling skills and EF are closely related in both groups. CI users may develop processing strategies in EF tasks that differ from the covert speech strategies routinely employed by NH individuals.

<b>研究目的</b> 本研究旨在探讨言语复述速度（VRS，一种用于在工作记忆中维持言语信息的内隐言语形式）与另一项言语加工速度指标——知觉编码速度，分别与人工耳蜗植入（CI）使用者存在风险的三大执行功能（EF）领域的关联：言语工作记忆、流畅性-速度维度，以及抑制-专注力维度。<br><b>研究方法</b> 本研究从55名语前聋、长期使用人工耳蜗的使用者，以及匹配的正常听力（NH）对照组中获取了执行功能、言语感知与语言结局指标。采用相关分析评估两组样本中言语复述速度（发音速率）、知觉编码速度（数字与颜色命名任务）与各项结局指标之间的关联。<br><b>研究结果</b> 人工耳蜗使用者的言语加工速度慢于正常听力对照组。在正常听力样本中，言语复述速度与两项执行功能领域存在关联，但在人工耳蜗使用者样本中则与执行功能结局无显著关联。知觉编码速度在两组样本中均与所有执行功能领域存在关联。<br><b>研究结论</b> 相较于正常听力对照组，言语复述速度对人工耳蜗使用者的执行功能质量的影响可能更弱；而快速自动命名能力与执行功能在两组样本中均紧密相关。人工耳蜗使用者在执行功能任务中可能形成了与正常听力个体常规使用的内隐言语策略不同的加工策略。