Expressive Language Performance Research Articles

Development of A Language Skills Promotion Package Based on Cognitive Rehabilitation and Determining its Effectiveness on the Expressive Language Performance of Children with Specific Language Impairment

Development of A Language Skills Promotion Package Based on Cognitive Rehabilitation and Determining its Effectiveness on the Expressive Language Performance of Children with Specific Language Impairment

Exploring language performance in people with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease: a prospective longitudinal study

Background/Aims Language changes are the earliest signs and symptoms of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. The aim of this study was to explore the language difference performance between people with mild cognitive impairment, people with Alzheimer's disease and healthy individuals as a control group. To accomplish this aim, the language profile of both mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease needs to be characterised to determine which feature is more affected by both mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease among expressive language, receptive language, executive function and memory performance. Methods This case-control prospective study involved 90 participants. The Mini-Mental Status Examination and the Functional Assessment Staging Tool were used to classify the participants into three groups: people with mild cognitive impairment, people with Alzheimer's disease and healthy individuals as a control group. Then, the language performance of patients in the mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease groups was investigated and compared with those of the control group by using the Barnes Language Assessment. The groups were reassessed 6 months later to see if there was any change in language ability. Results The results showed that the mild cognitive impairment group and Alzheimer's disease group had significant decreases in expressive language (P>0.01), executive function (P>0.01), receptive language (P>0.01) and memory skills (P>0.01) from baseline to the reassessment at 6 months. Conclusions Language deficits, especially expressive language deficits, could appear before impairment in executive function, receptive language and verbal episodic memory in participants with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease. Speech and language therapists can use the findings of this study to design and implement treatment programmes.

Differences of gut microbiota and behavioral symptoms between two subgroups of autistic children based on γδT cells-derived IFN-γ Levels: A preliminary study.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are defined as a group of pervasive neurodevelopmental disorders, and the heterogeneity in the symptomology and etiology of ASD has long been recognized. Altered immune function and gut microbiota have been found in ASD populations. Immune dysfunction has been hypothesized to involve in the pathophysiology of a subtype of ASD. A cohort of 105 ASD children were recruited and grouped based on IFN-γ levels derived from ex vivo stimulated γδT cells. Fecal samples were collected and analyzed with a metagenomic approach. Comparison of autistic symptoms and gut microbiota composition was made between subgroups. Enriched KEGG orthologues markers and pathogen-host interactions based on metagenome were also analyzed to reveal the differences in functional features. The autistic behavioral symptoms were more severe for children in the IFN-γ-high group, especially in the body and object use, social and self-help, and expressive language performance domains. LEfSe analysis of gut microbiota revealed an overrepresentation of Selenomonadales, Negatiyicutes, Veillonellaceae and Verrucomicrobiaceae and underrepresentation of Bacteroides xylanisolvens and Bifidobacterium longum in children with higher IFN-γ level. Decreased metabolism function of carbohydrate, amino acid and lipid in gut microbiota were found in the IFN-γ-high group. Additional functional profiles analyses revealed significant differences in the abundances of genes encoding carbohydrate-active enzymes between the two groups. And enriched phenotypes related to infection and gastroenteritis and underrepresentation of one gut-brain module associated with histamine degradation were also found in the IFN-γ-High group. Results of multivariate analyses revealed relatively good separation between the two groups. Levels of IFN-γ derived from γδT cell could serve as one of the potential candidate biomarkers to subtype ASD individuals to reduce the heterogeneity associated with ASD and produce subgroups which are more likely to share a more similar phenotype and etiology. A better understanding of the associations among immune function, gut microbiota composition and metabolism abnormalities in ASD would facilitate the development of individualized biomedical treatment for this complex neurodevelopmental disorder.

The effect of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths on expressive language skills among African preschool children

BackgroundSchistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminths (STH) have been associated with compromised child development. We determined the effect of schistosomiasis and STH on expressive language skills among isiZulu speaking preschool children focusing on the variables: age, gender, school and stunting.MethodsWe quantitatively compared the performance of a cohort of infected and non-infected children using a 2 phased approach. In phase 1 infected children were treated with praziquantel and matched with non-infected children and both groups were tested for expressive language performance. In phase 2 both groups of children were re-tested for expressive language skills using a similar but modified test. The participants were 106 preschool children between the age of 4 and 6 years, 11 months. The Developmental Language Test was adapted as a linguistically and culturally appropriate tool for assessing isiZulu expressive language skills.ResultsThe overall performance of the children in phases 1 and 2 were statistically similar. There was significant Pearson’s correlation of expressive language skills to age (0.002, P < 0.01), schistosomiasis i.e. vocabulary 1 (0.024, P < 0.05) and narrative skills (0.001, P < 0.01) and soil-transmitted helminths i.e. vocabulary 1 (0.006, P < 0.05), colours (0.029, P < 0.05) and narrative skills (0.001, P < 0.01) in phase 2 with small to high Cohen’s d effect size for various language subtests.ConclusionWe concluded that even mild schistosomiasis and STH may compromise the performance of preschool children on expressive language. However poor ability in following instructions may have contributed to general poor performance across the two groups tested. Diet, school effect and stunting did not influence the performance of the children on expressive language.

Multisensory integration and maternal sensitivity are related to each other and predictive of expressive vocabulary in 24-month-olds

Multisensory integration (MSI) is the ability to combine temporally synchronous, amodally specified sensory information to create rich, coordinated perceptual experiences. In early development, attention is directed toward such information in both social contexts (e.g., human speakers) and nonsocial contexts (e.g., multimodal toys). Parenting behaviors may support and sculpt multisensory integration by providing children with opportunities to experience amodally specified information (e.g., contingent face-to-face interactions). This study examined (a) whether 24-month-olds’ MSI abilities differed as a function of context (social or nonsocial) and competition for attention (low or high), (b) whether MSI predicted expressive vocabulary, and (c) whether maternal sensitivity (MS) was related to both MSI and language. A total of 32 24-month-olds were tested in the Multisensory Attention Assessment Protocol, an audiovisual task that presents laterally positioned social/nonsocial events with and without a central distractor. Their mothers completed the MacArthur–Bates Communicative Development Inventories and participated in a free-play period with their children for MS coding. Results showed MSI in both social and nonsocial conditions (i.e., toddlers paid more attention to the “match”), but only the ability to maintain attention to the social match was related to toddlers’ expressive vocabulary. In addition, MS was positively correlated with toddlers’ expressive language and social MSI performance. Taken together, the pattern of results shows important relations between emerging integration abilities and parenting behavior as well as the ability of both factors to positively influence word learning during early toddlerhood.

Language performance within three months of early childhood traumatic brain injury.

To examine language outcomes in the short-term stage (i.e., within three months) of early childhood traumatic brain injury (TBI). A retrospective chart review over a 10-year period (January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2016) was completed at a single-site inpatient rehabilitation hospital. Inclusion criteria were children aged 15 months to five years 11 months with a diagnosis of closed TBI. Twenty-four charts were included in the descriptive analysis of language; there were fewer children with expressive language scores (n = 18) than receptive language scores (n = 24), likely due to word retrieval difficulties as per clinical documentation. Effects of TBI on language performance were more pronounced in receptive than expressive language. For children with scores in both receptive and expressive language areas (n = 18), five children had below average scores. These children were described as having language delays pre-injury (n = 2), lower exposure to English (n = 1), information processing difficulties (n = 1), and difficulties with formulation and organization of language (n = 1). This study represents an initial step in understanding expressive and receptive language performance shortly after early childhood TBI. Challenges with assessment as well as directions for future research are discussed.

Age-related language performance and device use in children with very early bilateral cochlear implantation

ObjectivesPaediatric cochlear implantation within the first year of life results in better outcome in auditory and language skills. Beside individual, audiological and social factors, quantity and quality of daily cochlear implant (CI) use also seem to be an influencing factor. The purpose of this study was to evaluate children's early receptive and expressive language performance considering bilingual language development as well as quantity and quality of daily CI use and intraoperative objective measurements. MethodsThe retrospective analysis included data from 35 very early bilaterally cochlear-implanted children (age at CI M = 8.4 ± 1.5 months). Language performance was assessed by the German standardised test SETK-2 (age at testing M = 29.4 ± 4.0 months). The CI system-integrated data-logging was analysed with regard to daily CoilOn-time, CoilOff and exposure to classified listening scenes. Intraoperatively measured thresholds of evoked compound action potentials (T-ECAPs) were analysed to ensure CI functionality. ResultsThe cohort showed language performance within the normal range for word comprehension, sentence comprehension and word production, level of sentence production was reduced. Overall, bilingual children performed less well than monolingual children. Intraoperative T-ECAPs were recorded for the total cohort and no anomalies were detected. Children used their CI for about 8.7 ± 1.4 h per day, most of this time spent in a quiet environment (38%). Word production was significantly correlated with the daily duration of CI use (CoilOn-time) and with exposure to the listening environment Speech. No correlation was found between number of daily coil disconnections (CoilOff) and language performance. ConclusionVery early bilateral cochlear implantation may result in age-appropriate language skills already at the age of 2 years. Monolingualism seems to a better condition for early language development with CI than bilingualism. Especially for word production, the daily duration of CI use and exposure time in a speech-characterised environment seem to be additional positive factors. Monitoring the data-logs should be one important focus of professionals during the postoperative rehabilitation process to detect potential benefits and risks. These findings should be integrated into rehabilitative therapy and parent counselling.

Children with Auditory Brainstem Implant: How Do They Perform in Motor and Language Skills?

Background: Young children are able to explore new objects and practice language through the acquisition of motor skills that lead to their overall development. Congenital hearing loss and total vestibular loss may contribute to the delay in speech and motor skill development. Objectives: To investigate the relationship between motor development performance, speech perception, and language performance in children with auditory brainstem implant (ABI). Method: Ten children, aged 4–17 years (mean age 9.76 ± 4.03), fitted with unilateral ABI for at least 2 years due to the presence of labyrinthine aplasia and rudimentary otocyst at least 1 side were included in the study. Several standardized tests, such as Bruininks-Oseretsky Motor Proficiency Test-2 (BOT-2), Children’s Auditory Perception Test Battery, Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (MAIS), and Test of Early Language Development-3, were performed to evaluate their skills of fine motor control, balance, manual dexterity, language, and auditory perception. Results: A significant correlation was established between the BOT-2 manual dexterity and MAIS scores (r = 0.827, p < 0.05) and between the manual dexterity and language skills (for expressive language, r = 0.762, p < 0.05; for receptive language, r = 0.650, p < 0.05). Some of the BOT-2 balance tasks, such as standing on 1 leg on a line with eyes closed, standing on 1 leg on a balance beam with eyes open, standing heel-to-toe on a balance beam, and walking forward heel-to-toe on a line, showed a strong correlation with their receptive and expressive language performance (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The current study has indicated that significantly poor manual and balance performances are associated with poor speech perception and language skills in children with ABI. The authors recommend performing a vestibular assessment before and after ABI surgery and the use of a holistic rehabilitation approach, including auditory and vestibular rehabilitation, to support development of the children with ABI.

Early Speech and Language Development in Children With Nonsyndromic Cleft Lip and/or Palate: A Meta-Analysis.

ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to conduct a meta-analysis of research examining the early speech and language functioning of young children, birth to age 8;11 (years;months), with nonsyndromic cleft lip and/or palate (NSCL/P) compared to their peers without NSCL/P.MethodWe conducted a random-effects metaregression using 241 effect sizes from 31 studies comparing 955 young children with NSCL/P to 938 typically developing peers on measures of speech and language functioning. Moderators were sample characteristics (i.e., age, cleft type, publication year, and study location) and measurement characteristics (i.e., speech sample material, language modality and domain, and assessment type).ResultsYoung children with NSCL/P scored significantly lower on measures of speech and language compared to children without NSCL/P. Children with NSCL/P had smaller consonant inventories (standardized mean difference effect size [ESg] = −1.24), less accurate articulation (ESg = −1.13), and more speech errors (ESg = 0.93) than their peers. Additionally, children with NSCL/P had poorer expressive (ESg = −0.57) and receptive (ESg = −0.59) language skills than their peers. Age and assessment type moderated effect sizes for expressive language. As children with NSCL/P aged, their expressive language performance became more similar to their peers. Expressive language effect sizes from parent reports and observational language measures (estimated effect size = −0.74) were significantly lower than those from standardized norm-referenced tests (estimated effect size = −0.45).ConclusionsThese findings suggest that young children with NSCL/P experience delays relative to their peers across multiple speech and language constructs. Differences between children with NSCL/P and their typically developing peers appear to decrease with age.Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.11356904

Grow Smart: An Integrated Nutrition and Early Child Development Intervention Among Infants Improves Expressive Language and Reduces Anemia and Iron Deficiency in Rural India (FS08-03-19)

ObjectivesNutritional deficiency and lack of early learning opportunities contribute to the loss of developmental potential. The objective is to evaluate the effects of an integrated nutrition and early learning intervention (ELI) on micronutrient status and the development of infants in rural India. Methods513 infants (6–12mo) were enrolled from 26 villages in rural India and randomized using a 2 × 2 design to receive multiple micronutrient powders (MNP containing iron, zinc, vitamins A, B2, B12, C and folic acid) vs. placebo (B2) and EL vs. control. The ELI was based on the UNICEF-developed Care for Child Development. Baseline (BL), post-intervention (6 mo) and follow-up (12 mo) evaluations included Mullens Scales of Early Learning, anthropometry, and 2 ml venous blood (BL & 12 mo). Data were analyzed using linear mixed effects regression models with random village/subject intercepts accounting for site of recruitment and repeated measures. For biomarker outcomes, main effects of MNP was assessed. P-values of <0.05 considered statistically significant. For child development outcomes, main effects of MNP and ELI were analyzed separately, and three-way interactions (MNP*ELI*midline or MNP*ELI*end line) were tested. ResultsAt baseline, the mean age of mothers was 22.9y (SD = 2.9) and 99.6% were married. Most mothers (84.2%) had attended some schooling. Mean infant age was 8.6 mo (SD = 2.2); 53.0% were male. Anemia prevalence was 66.4%. No significant baseline differences were found. At end line, infants in the MNP group had significantly higher hemoglobin (11 g/dl vs.10 g/dl) and ferritin (18.2ug/l vs.11.5 ug/l) values compared to infants in the placebo groups, respectively. Infants in the MNP group (mean = 39.5; SE = 0.6) versus placebo group (mean = 37.7; SE = 0.6) also scored significantly higher in expressive language and marginally higher in visual reception (mean = 42.5; SE = 0.5; P = 0.06) and social-emotional behavior (mean = 24.1; SE = 0.2; P = 0.052), compared to the placebo (mean = 41.1; E = 0.6, mean = 23.5; SE = 0.2, respectively). Significant interactions in visual reception and expressive language performance showed that children who received either or both interventions had better scores than children who received neither. ConclusionsHome MNP and EL interventions can improve infant MN status and development. Funding SourcesMathile Institute for the Advancement of Human Nutrition, Nutrition International, Sackler Institute for Nutrition Science of the New York Academy of Science.

Exploring the speech and language of individuals with non-syndromic submucous cleft palate: a preliminary report.

Submucous cleft palate (SMCP) has a heterogeneous presentation and is often identified late or misdiagnosed. Diagnosis is prompted by speech, resonance or feeding symptoms associated with velopharyngeal insufficiency. However, the broader impacts of SMCP on communication have rarely been examined and therefore are poorly understood. To describe the communicative profile of individuals with non-syndromic SMCP by examining speech, language and pragmatics (social language). Fifteen participants with SMCP aged 5;1-12;8, without a genetic diagnosis, participated in the study. Participants completed standardized assessments examining language, resonance, speech and non-verbal intellect. Parents also completed the Children's Communication Checklist (CCC-2), which provided a measure of overall communicative ability, including pragmatic skills. Formal language outcomes were compared with two cohorts: 36 individuals with overt non-syndromic clefts and 129 individuals with no history of clefting. Speech intelligibility was reduced secondary to hypernasality, disordered articulation and/or impaired phonology (n = 7) in children with SMCP. Poorer overall language outcomes were observed for children with SMCP compared with both those with overt clefts and no history of clefting (p < 0.001). Language scores for children with SMCP ranged from impaired (n = 6) to above the standardized mean (n = 4). Receptive and expressive language performance were independently correlated with non-verbal IQ (p < 0.01). Those with severe language impairment (n = 4) also had borderline or impaired non-verbal IQ. Parents reported that speech and semantics were the most affected sub-domains of communication, while scores were the highest for the initiation domain. Speech and language skills were correlated strongly with pragmatics (r = 0.877, p < 0.01). Overall, performance was variable within the SMCP group across speech, language and pragmatic assessments. In addition to well-documented speech difficulties, children with SMCP may have language or pragmatic impairments, suggesting that further neurodevelopmental influences may be at play. As such, for individuals with SMCP, additional clinical screening of language and pragmatic abilities may be required to ensure accurate diagnosis and guide both cleft and non-cleft related therapy programmes.

Expressive Language Performance in Adults With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Expressive Language Performance in Adults With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Linguistic and Nonverbal Abilities over Time in a Child Case of 22q11 Deletion Syndrome

The aim of this study is to profile the cognitive–linguistic performance of a male child (P.I.) with 22q11 deletion syndrome (22q11DS). Specifically, receptive and expressive language performance and nonverbal IQ (NVIQ) are described at two different time points—when P.I. was 6 and 10 years of age, respectively. Using case-based methodology, P.I.’s NVIQ and performance on global and structured language tasks are compared to typically developing children of the same chronological age and school-aged children with specific language impairment (SLI). The results show no improvement in NVIQ or vocabulary, but his morphosyntactic abilities did improve over time. The findings are discussed in relation to two hypotheses, either that the profile of language impairment in children with 22q11DS is distinctive to the syndrome or that there is co-morbidity with SLI. This is particularly important for speech–language therapists who have a primary role in diagnosing communication deficits and providing treatment.

Assessing the Effectiveness of Holistic Multidimensional Treatment Model (Hojjati Model) on Receptive and Expressive Language Skills in Autistic Children

Background: Autism as part of the category called Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is caused by disorders in brain and nervous network and characterized by defect in social behavior, language and cognition. This study aimed to investigate receptive and expressive language performance and the severity of the disorder in 30 children with autism aged 2-8 years who speak in Persian language. Materials and Methods In this cross-sectional study 30 children with autism were selected using random sampling method. study tools included The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), and Developmental Scale (NDS) for assessing the receptive - expressive language skills. In order to assess the level of language impairment in subjects, the participants were divided into 5 groups with 6 people (considering the speaking ability including sign language and speech), with equal number of boys and girls (3 girls and 3 boys) in each group. All of these children were evaluated by pediatric psychiatry, pediatric neurologist and pediatrician and were assessed according to the criteria for autism based on the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V). Eventually, the data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS version 16.0 software. Results results showed that there was a significant difference between the mean (standard deviation) and scores of receptive – expressive language skills in autistic subjects in each of the groups (P<0.05). In other words, there is a substantial difference in the mean scores of subscales of Newsha developmental scale with the scores of the subjects. Results also revealed that the processes of language development in subjects improved gradually during the treatment period. Conclusion Altogether, it can be said that the HMTM treatment method (Hojjati Model) which is derived from Iranian traditional medicine and holistic philosophy, can be effective in the treatment of language disorder in children with autism.

False Belief Performance of Children Adopted Internationally.

The purpose of this study was to explore relationships among adoption, individual, and family variables on false belief performance of children adopted internationally (CAI). Using a quasiexperimental design, thirty-five 4-year-old children adopted from Asian and Eastern European countries before age 2 years were compared with a U.S. group of 33 nonadopted 4-year-old children on a standardized English-language measure, 3 false belief tasks, and a go/no-go inhibition measure. The adopted group differed significantly from the U.S. nonadopted group in expressive language and false belief performance. For the adopted group, inhibition measures were significantly correlated with core language scores. Core language scores and number of older siblings predicted false belief performance. Similar to children who are not adopted, language competence and living with older siblings positively influenced social understanding in CAI. Because CAI experience interrupted language acquisition and live with fewer older siblings, they are at risk of having weaker language competence and social understanding in their adopted language. When working with CAI, practitioners should assess social communication, language competence, and inhibition skills. They should assist adoptive families in providing socially mentored opportunities for their children to observe and interact with older children.

Receptive and expressive language performance in children with and without Cleft Lip and Palate.

To compare the performance in the abilities of receptive and expressive language of children with cleft lip and palate with that of children without cleft lip and palate with typical 12 to 36-month chronological development. The sample consisted of 60 children aged 12 and 36 months: 30 with cleft lip and palate diagnosis and 30 without cleft lip and palate diagnosis with typical development. The groups were paired according to gender, age (in months), and socioeconomic level. The procedures consisted of analysis of medical records, anamnesis with family members, and valuation of the Early Language Milestone Scale (ELMS). The chart analysis showed 63.34% of the children with unilateral cleft lip and palate, 16.66% with bilateral incisive transforamen cleft, and 20% with post-foramen cleft. Children with cleft lip and palate underwent surgeries (lip repair and/or palatoplasty) at the recommended ages and participated in early intervention programs; 40% presented recurrent otitis history, and 50% attended schools. Statistical analysis included the use of the Mann Whitney test with significance level of p <0.05. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups regarding receptive and expressive skills. The group of children with cleft lip and palate showed statistically significant low performance in receptive and expressive language compared with children without cleft lip and palate.

Predictors and Correlates of Inattentive/Overactive Behaviors in Internationally Adopted Children

Children adopted internationally following deprived early care have an elevated risk for difficulties with inattention/overactivity (Kreppner et al., 2001). The current study sought to identify predictors of inattention/overactivity and child and adoptive family challenges that co-occur with inattention/overactivity difficulties in a sample of internationally adopted children. Forty-eight children (mean age at adoption = 57.98 months, SD = 47.7 months) were examined at 3 yearly assessments, which included semistructured interviews, parent ratings, and neuropsychological assessment with children. Results revealed that older age at adoption, longer time in the adoptive home, and smaller family size were associated with greater parent-rated difficulties with inattention/overactivity. Additionally, greater inattention/overactivity difficulties were associated with poorer expressive language and reading performance, poorer child emotional-behavioral outcomes, and poorer adoptive family functioning. Given the increase in difficulties over time in the adoptive home, longer-term follow-up may be helpful to ensure appropriate intervention. Additionally, interventions may need to be more comprehensive given the connection between inattentive/overactive behaviors and other areas of functioning.

Global coherence during discourse production in adults: a review of the literature.

Global coherence is a metric of expressive language performance that represents the speaker's ability to initiate, plan and maintain a topic of discussion. Studies indicate that disruptions of global coherence can occur during the ageing process and following neurological disease or injury. However, little is known about the specific impact that the ageing process, disease or injury has on global coherence during discourse production. To review the literature on global coherence in adult populations and assess the impact that age, disease or injury has on global coherence during expressive language tasks. We completed an in-depth search of Medline and PyschInfo (1990-2014) to identify studies of global coherence in adult populations. We identified studies that included a comparison group and utilized a measure of global coherence during expressive language production among adults. Twenty studies comprised of 692 study participants who met inclusion criteria were identified for the review of the literature. Studies included participants without neurological impairments and individuals with aphasia, traumatic brain injury, dementia, generalized memory impairment and other neurological conditions. Study results indicated global coherence is an expressive language skill that is influenced by the ageing process and neurological disease or injury. Although evidence indicated that global coherence is negatively influenced by ageing and neurological disease/injury, the heterogeneity of study populations, measurement tools and study designs were limiting factors in determining the exact nature by which these factors impact the skill of global coherence.

Temporal Aspects of Global Coherence during Discourse Production in Early Stage Parkinson’s Disease

Introduction: Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that significantly influences motor performance. Recent studies suggest expressive language deficits may also exist among individuals with PD even though the condition is primarily known for changes in motor skills. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the influence of early stage PD on global coherence or the ability to maintain consistency of a theme or topic. Methods: Discourse samples were collected from eleven individuals with PD and compared to eleven matched controls to examine measures of global coherence. Two-minute speech samples describing a “typical day” were transcribed and rated on mean global coherence and percentage high global coherence. Results: Greater declines in global coherence were observed among individuals with PD, however, comparisons of both mean global coherence ratings and percentage high global coherence were not statistically significant between the two groups. A significant downward linear trend was observed for both mean global coherence ratings and percentage high coherence among all participants indicating decreases in global coherence over time. Conclusion: Approaches to the study of global coherence as a measure of expressive language performance should consider the temporal changes especially among neurological conditions known to reduce expressive language ability.

Lexical diversity in Parkinson's disease.

BackgroundParkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative syndrome of the basal ganglia (BG) believed to disrupt cortical-subcortical pathways critical to motor, cognitive and expressive language function. Recent studies have shown subtle deficits in expressive language performance among individuals with PD even in the earliest stage of the disease. The objective of this study was to use measures of lexical diversity to examine expressive language performance during discourse production in a sample of individuals with PD.MethodsTwelve individuals with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD) were compared to twelve matched, neurologically intact controls on measures of lexical diversity. Three minute discourse samples describing a typical day were collected and analyzed for lexical diversity with the CHILDES program using measures of type token ratio (TTR) and voc-D (D).ResultsComparisons of three minute discourse samples indicated non-significant differences between individuals with PD and controls in word productivity (387 vs 356; p = .48). Similarly, there were also non-significant differences on measures of lexical diversity between the two groups (TTR = .45 vs.44; p = .50 and D 74 vs 68; p = .23).ConclusionsThese results suggest that lexical diversity during discourse production among individuals with PD is similar to non-neurological controls. These findings indicate that lexical diversity is an aspect of expressive language performance that is not impacted by the disease process in the earliest stages.