Treatment for Wernicke's Aphasia - An Evidence-Based Approach to Improve Auditory Comprehension

 Introduction:

    Treatment for Wernicke's Aphasia (TWA) is an evidence-based therapy approach designed to enhance auditory comprehension of individuals with fluent aphasias, which includes Wernicke's Aphasia (A type of language disorder caused by damage in the posterior-superior temporal gyrus (Wernicke's area), affecting meaningful speech production. Relatively preserved fluency, Impaired comprehension, and impaired repetition are the key features of this aphasia type, and other types of fluent aphasias with impaired auditory comprehension. This technique includes specific steps focused on auditory comprehension by addressing other modalities, including reading comprehension, oral reading, and repetition.Patient Population:

    This approach was designed for individuals with severe to profound deficits in Auditory comprehension and Repetition, but relatively intact Reading Comprehension, and some level of spared oral reading skills.

Pre-Requisites and Contraindications:

    Pre-Requisites:

• Auditory Comprehension: Moderate to severe (Even at single word level)
• Repetition: Moderate to severe (Even at single-word level)
• Cognitive alertness: Adequate visual processing skills, attention, and memory
• Reading Comprehension: At least at a single word level
• Reading aloud: At least at a single-word level

    Contraindications:

• Reduced cognitive alertness

• Severe auditory or visual impairments (Without being treated)

• Severe reading deficits (Even at a single word level)

• Severe oral reading (Even at a single-word level)

Materials:

Procedure:

• Before the intervention: Choose the treatment list by conducting a heard word-to-picture matching task.

    Step 01: Reading Comprehension

• The patient will need to match the written word with the picture among 5 distractors.

• The clinician needs to use a carrier phrase (Ex, Point to the ......) to reduce the cognitive demand.

    Step 02: Reading aloud

• The patient will need to read aloud the provided word.

Step 03: Repetition

• The patient needs to immediately repeat the word said by the clinician.

Step 04: Auditory Comprehension

• The patient must choose the accurate response during the heard-word to picture matching task, among 6 distractors.

    Outcome Measurement

    Home-Based Activities

Activity 1. Labeling Household Items

• Label the frequently used items in the home. (ex: fridge, cup, remote).
• During the daily activities, ask the patient to bring or give certain labeled things.
• Gradually remove the labels (First: Remove the word and provide a written cue, then the first letter of the word, etc.), and ask the patient to bring the things.
• Provide cueing when needed.