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KMID : 1036820190240010172
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Communication Sciences & Disorders
2019 Volume.24 No. 1 p.172 ~ p.185
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Changes in Naming and Cognitive Abilities as the Effects of Semantic Feature Analysis Treatment in Middle-Aged and Older Adults
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Kim Jung-Wan
Kang Yeon-Wook
Lee Ho-Young
Kim Jai-Hyun
Yoon Ji-Hye
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Abstract
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Objectives: Difficulty in word finding and retrieval frequently occurs during the normal aging process. Interventions in middle-aged or elderly adults in the preclinical stage may possibly improve naming ability and further promote brain function in terms of brain plasticity and functional reorganization. If so, this intervention can be used not only to treat communication disorders among middle-aged or older dementia patients, but also to prevent cognitive decline. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of a semantic feature analysis intervention program in middle-aged and older adults with subjective or objective naming difficulties.
Methods: Forty-two participants, aged 55 to 84 years, were screened using a cognitive communication test and divided into two groups of healthy and abnormal participants using the Korean Boston Naming Test (K-BNT) criteria. All participants received a total of 20 sessions of intervention using open-ended induction questions by semantic category and home assignment using a grid. Neuropsychological evaluations and detailed language evaluations were conducted before and after the intervention to assess behavioral changes.
Results: All participants had better accuracy on the K-BNT and better accuracy and reaction time in the post-treatment probe test than in the pre-treatment condition regardless of objective naming difficulty. In addition, with regard to cognitive functions, significant improvements in the word fluency test (phonemic) and verbal learning test (immediate and delayed recalls) were observed.
Conclusion: The results suggest that word finding difficulties or naming impairments can be improved by activating the network for the whole semantic system.
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KEYWORD
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Semantic feature analysis, Middle-aged and older adults, Word retrieval, Activation
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