An Evaluation of Operant Training and Speech Therapy in the Language Rehabilitation of Moderate Aphasics

Abstract

Twenty-four moderately asphasic stroke patients attending a rehabilitation centre were treated for 4 weeks with speech therapy and for 4 weeks with either an operant training procedure, based on that devised by Goodkin (1966), or an attention placebo non-specific treatment. Speech therapy was given first to half the patients, while a quarter received operant training first and a quarter non-specific treatment. Results indicated no significant differences between the treatments. These treated patients were also compared in improvements in language abilities with nine moderately aphasic patients from hospitals with very limited speech therapy services. No significant differences between “treated” and “untreated” groups were found over a 4-week period. All groups of patients, however, showed some significant improvements in language abilities.