title: A pilot study of use-dependent learning in the context of Constraint Induced Language Therapy.
abstract: This investigation reports the results of a pilot study concerning the application of principles of use-dependent learning developed in the motor rehabilitation literature as Constraint Induced Therapy to language rehabilitation in a group of individuals with chronic aphasia. We compared treatment that required forced use of the language modality, Constraint Induced Language Therapy, (CILT) to treatment allowing all modes of communication. Both treatments were administrated intensively in a massed practice paradigm, using the same therapeutic stimuli and tasks. Results suggest that whereas both interventions yielded positive outcomes, CILT participants showed more consistent improvement on standard aphasia measures and clinician judgments of narrative discourse. These findings suggest that CILT intervention may be a viable approach to aphasia rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Rehabilitation Research, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. lmaher@bcm.tmc.edu
authors.forename: Lynn M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Maher
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kendall
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Swearengin
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Susan A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Leon
authors.forename: Karyn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pingel
authors.forename: Audrey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holland
authors.forename: Leslie J Gonzalez
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Rothi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001037:Aphasia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007807:Language Tests; D007808:Language Therapy / Q000145:classification / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome