Single-subject Experimental Research Research Articles

Feasibility of an abstract verb naming treatment for aphasia

ABSTRACT Purpose Verb production impairments in aphasia have important implications for sentence production and communication in general. Verbs with low concreteness may be especially important for certain functional uses, and yet limited data regarding their response to treatment are available. This study was designed to examine a novel behavioral treatment approach to improve low concreteness verb naming in persons with aphasia. Method Three persons with nonfluent aphasia participated in a single-subject experimental design research study examining the feasibility of the novel treatment. The treatment was based on approaches that target the verb as the central node of meaning during sentence construction. The primary outcome measure was a sentence completion probe. Effects on untreated stimuli and on general language and naming assessments were also examined. Results Results indicated some limited changes associated with the treatment for two of the participants. Treatment performance data suggested possible improvements in verb processing that were not reflected in the primary outcome measure. Modest decreases in aphasia severity were noted for two of the participants. Conclusions The findings provide further support for targeting verbal production of verbs with low concreteness in aphasia. Several lessons learned may benefit future researchers examining areas related to the topic.

Development of a Thai naming application for clients with aphasia

Background: Aphasia, as brain damage resulting from a stroke, results in language impairment, including speaking, auditory comprehension, reading, and writing. Modern technology enhances self-administered recovery training, allowing clients to restore and improve communication. Objectives: This study developed and assessed the effectiveness of an application on Android mobile devices for language rehabilitation with an emphasis on picture naming. Materials and methods: A small sample research design was conducted with five primary caregivers and five clients with aphasia. The study was divided into two steps: application development and implementation using a single-subject experimental research design. This research design was divided into three phases: (1) Phase A1, a baseline of 2 weeks before applying the training; (2) Phase B, a training period of 6 weeks; and (3) Phase A2, a withdrawal period of 4 weeks. The total study period was 12 weeks. Results: The naming rehabilitation application was assessed by visual graphical data analysis, with differences analyzed at each phase interval. After using the application for six weeks, the naming scores of the participants as clients were measured by the Thai Adaptation of the Western Aphasia Battery test (WAB). Results showed increased naming scores while the clients developed their naming skills using the application. Conclusion: This application enhanced the clients’ naming skills and reduced the time taken to name the words when conducting repetitive stimulation exercises in the form of intensive training combined with various cueing techniques. This application promoted the ability of clients with word-finding difficulties to retrieve words.

시각 차단을 사용한 수행-기반 트레드밀 보행 훈련이 만성 뇌졸중 환자의 균형과 보행 능력에 미치는 영향 : 단일 사례 연구

This study aimed to examine the effects of performance-based treadmill walking training with visual deprivation on balance and walking functions in patients with chronic stroke. We performed this study with a single-subject experimental research design (A-B-C). One patient with chronic stroke participated in this study. Experimental sessions consisted of three phases (a total of 20 sessions): (1) baseline phase, (2) 1st intervention phase, and (3) 2nd intervention phase. During the two intervention phases, performance-based treadmill walking training was performed, and visual deprivation was added in the 2nd intervention phase only. Intervention was performed for an average of 60 min, twice per day for two weeks. Outcome measures included Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up-and-Go test (TUGT), 10-meter walk test (10MWT), and Dynamic Gait Index (DGI). The BBS and DGI scores improved by 11 and 6 points, respectively. Furthermore, TUGT (36.91 sec) and 10MWT (18.74 sec) improved in the 1st intervention phase, and more improvement (TUGT: 56.45 sec, and 10MWT: 45.18 sec) was observed during the 2nd intervention phase. These results indicates that the performance-based treadmill walking training might improve balance and walking functions, with more favorable outcomes when visual deprivation was added. Further studies are required to support these results.

Meningkatkan Self Regulated Learning pada Siswa Melalui Strategi Belajar Berdasar Regulasi Diri

Self-regulated learning is a strategy carried out by students to regulate themselves and achieve optimal learning outcomes. This research aims to improve students' self-regulated learning through learning strategies based on self-regulation. The subject in this study was a 17-year-old high school student. This study used a single-subject experimental research design with a one-group pretest-posttest design. The treatment method given to the subject is based on learning strategies based on self-regulation, consisting of: 1) self-evaluation; 2) goal setting and strategic planning; 3) putting plans into action; and 4) monitoring outcomes. The results showed that there was an increase in the subject's self-regulated learning scale scores from low to moderate levels. Changes can also be seen from an increase in the duration of study hours and in the value of the subject's report card.

트레드밀 훈련과 Lee Silverman Voice Treatment(LSVT)-BIG 프로그램이 파킨슨병 환자의 균형 및 보행능력에 미치는 효과 : 단일사례연구

This study aimed to investigate the effect of treadmill training and Lee Silverman Voice Treatment(LSVT)-BIG program on the balance and gait functions of a patient with Parkinson's disease. A participant was a person who suffered from idiopathic Parkinson's disease. We used a single-subject experimental research design with reversal phases (A-B-A). Experimental session was eight sessions in three phases (a total of 24 sessions): (1) baseline phase (A), (2) intervention phase (B), and (3) withdrawal phase (A'). During all phases, a participant underwent daily routine rehabilitation therapy, including mat exercise, flexibility training, and therapist-guided functional activity. Furthermore, treadmill training and LSVT-BIG was additionally performed for 70 minutes, once per day in the intervention phase, which consisted of warm-up (5 minutes), LSVT-BIG (30 minutes), treadmill training (30 minutes), and cool-down (5 minutes). During the intervention phase, the TUG and 10MWT scores improved by 3.75 seconds (36.89 seconds to 33.14 seconds) and 2.28 seconds (26.07 seconds to 23.79 seconds) in average, respectively. And gains were maintained after the intervention. Furthermore, the BBS and DGI scores improved by 17 points (4 points to 21 points) and 11 points (6 points to 17 points) in average, respectively. These findings suggest that treadmill training and LSVT-BIG may be helpful to enhance balance and walking functions in a person with Parkinson’s disease. Further studies need to support these results.

Pengaruh Task Analysis untuk Meningkatkan Kemampuan Merawat Diri saat Menstruasi pada Siswa Tunagrahita di SLB C YKB Garut

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of task analysis to improve self-care ability during menstruation for mentally retarded student at SLB C YKB Garut. The research method used is a quantitative method with a single subject experimental research (SSR). This single subject study used an A-B-A reversal design, namely the baseline-1 (A1) phase of 5 sessions, the intervention phase (B) of 10 sessions, and the baseline-2 phase (A2) of 5 sessions. The subject of the study was a sixth grade mentally retarded student at SLB C YKB Garut who had not been able to take care of herself during menstruation. The data collection technique used is a performance test and then for data analysis techniques using descriptive statistical techniques with visual analysis. The results of the study indicate that task analysis has an effect on increasing the ability to take care of herself during menstruation in mentally retarded students at SLB C YKB Garut. The increase in the subject's ability is indicated by a change in the mean level in each phase, namely the baseline-1 phase (A1) by 32.942% then in the intervention phase (B) to 85.73%, and the mean level in the baseline-2 phase (A2) by 73 ,47%. The conclusion of this study is that task analysis has an effect on improving the ability to take care of oneself during menstruation for mentally retarded students at SLB C YKB Garut.

Mixed-Reality Learning Environments in Teacher Education: An Analysis of TeachLivE™ Research

TeachLivE™, a mixed-reality simulated classroom technology, has been used in initial teacher education programs to provide repeatable experiential learning opportunities for students now for more than a decade and in more than 80 universities worldwide. However, no broad scale investigation has been conducted into how the platform has been used or what research has been generated as a result. The aim of this study is to provide insight into the types of TeachLivE™ research carried out since its inception and to identify trends and potential gaps in this research. Peer-reviewed academic primary research publications—journal articles (23), conference proceedings (12), and thesis dissertations (20)—were reviewed for participants, research methods, analysis, research design, data collection tools, and design approaches. Of the 102 articles identified as relevant, “instructional skills development” and “integration of TeachLivE™ in teacher education” were the most commonly researched topics. Findings indicate that preservice teachers were the most commonly studied group of participants, research methods were predominately qualitative, single-subject experimental research design was employed most often, and the most used data collection tools were surveys and observation. These findings highlight that the range of topics is increasing, with studies on in-service teachers in school-based contexts beginning to emerge as a new area of interest. This systematic review has implications for researchers and the developers of TeachLivE™. It provides valuable insight and recommendations for future studies in this emerging teacher education field, where technology is not simply used “in the classroom” but rather “as the classroom.”

Effects of the Instrument Pilates Exercise Based on the Schroth Exercise on the Cobb's Angle, Angle of Trunk Rotation and Low Back Pain in Patients with Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Single Subject Study

Purpose: This study examined the effects of the application of Schroth exercise-based instrument Pilates exercise on the Cobb’s angle, angle of trunk rotation, and low back pain of female patients with idiopathic scoliosis. Methods: Three patients with idiopathic scoliosis at a Cobb’s angle of 20° or more participated in this study. Among the single-subject experimental research designs, a reversal (ABA) design was performed. In particular, Schroth exercise-based instrument, Pilates exercise, was performed for 10 weeks, consisting of five weeks between the baseline and intervention one period and five weeks between the in tervention 1 and intervention 2 periods, and then followed up for five weeks. Results: After the Schroth exercise-based instrument, Pilates exercise, was applied, the Cobb’s angle and the angle of trunk rotation de creased compared to the baseline in all subjects, and the follow-up period also showed a continuous decline. After Pilates exercise was performed, low back pain in subjects 1 and 2 was decreased in the intervention 1 period compared to the baseline. The level of low back pain in the intervention 2 period increased compared to the intervention 1 period, but a reduction was noted in the follow-up period. The low back pain in the subject was decreased in all intervention periods and the follow-up period. Conclusion: Schroth exercise-based Pilates exercise improves the Cobb’s angle and the angle of trunk rotation for female patients with idiopathic scoliosis in their teens and 20s, and an effective intervention method is proposed for low back pain.

Effects of Vojta Therapy on the Forced Vital Capacity and Forced Expiratory Volume at One Second in Young Male Smokers: A Single-Subject Design

Purpose: This study examined the effects of Vojta therapy on the respiratory function in young male smokers. Methods: Three subjects were tested using the ABA design for Single-subject Experimental Research Design. This study was conducted with the baseline, intervention, and follow-up phase. Intervention was conducted three to four times a week for 20 minutes per times and a total of 25 sessions. The respiratory function was measured using a Spirometer. Results: The results of Forced Vital Capacity and Forced Expiratory Volume at one second for all subjects showed improvements in the intervention phase over the baseline phase. In the follow-up phase, the improved ability was still maintained or slightly reduced. Conclusion: Vojta therapy used on young male smokers was effective in both FVC and FEV1. In other words, the Vojta therapy worked effectively in improving the respiratory function. In future studies, it is necessary to have a control group and increase the number of tri als in order to generalize the effect of Vojta therapy.

The Implementation of Modeling Technique on Social Skills of People With Mental Psychotic Disability

Social skills are not the capacity that can be easily mastered by persons with mental disabilities; they endeavor to master and/-or regain control of these capacities. Having 2 persons with mental disabilities as case studies, the objective of this study is to improve social skills of those persons with disabilities in more stable mental condition. This research uses a quantitative approach with a single subject experimental research design utilizing multiple baseline cross subject model; two persons with mental disabilities having similar characteristics and behavior became respondents of the study. Data analysis has been conducted by means of graph making, descriptive statistics, and visual inspection. Furthermore, the research uses face validity for its test validation and inter-rater reliability (kappa coefficient) in the reliability test. The study shows that 4 (four) aspects of social skills of the two respondents has been increasing since the intervention started. The behavioral improvement can be seen in the aspects of their communication, people-to-people interaction, ways to cooperate, and motivation for doing daily activities. The post-intervention’s (A2) measurement indicated that there was a decrease of behavioral frequency even though the number is still above the prior-intervention phase (A1). The decline was allegedly triggered by changes of activities of the two respondents.

Evidence from systematic review indicates that parents can learn to implement naturalistic interventions leading to improved language skills in their children with disabilities

Rakap S., & Rakap S. (2014). Parent-implemented naturalistic language interventions for young children with disabilities: A systematic review of single-subject experimental research studies. Educational Research Review, 13, 35–51. doi:10.1016/j.edurev.2014.09.001Sources of funding and declaration of interests: David Trembath is supported by a NHMRC ECR Fellowship (GNT1071811).

Comparative evaluation of the reliability and validity of three data extraction programs: UnGraph, GraphClick, and DigitizeIt

The use of evidence-based practices in education has been gaining a lot of attention in recent years. Researchers often use meta-analyses to identify evidence-based practices. To conduct meta-analyses of studies employing single-subject experimental research (SSER) designs for the purpose of identifying evidence base for a practice, a necessary step is to obtain raw data from published graphs. One method for obtaining raw data from published SSER graphs is the use of computer programs specifically designed to extract data from graphs. Purpose of the present study was to examine the reliability and validity of three data extraction programs, Ungraph, GraphClick, and DigitizeIt, using 60 graphs obtained from 15 SSER studies focused on a practice. Three coders extracted data from the graphs using the three programs. Values extracted by each coder were compared to (a) each other (reliability) and (b) values reported in the original articles in which the graphs were obtained from (validity). Results showed that raw data from SSER graphs can be obtained reliably using all three data extraction programs and values obtained using the three programs are highly valid. These results suggest that researchers can use data extracted using these programs with a high level of confidences while conducting meta-analyses of studies employing SSER designs. Authors make recommendations for improving the accuracy of data extraction using the three programs.

Effect sizes as result interpretation aids in single‐subject experimental research: description and application of four nonoverlap methods

Single‐subject experimental research (SSER), one of the most commonly used research methods in special education and applied behaviour analysis, is a scientific, rigorous and valid method to evaluate the effectiveness of behavioural, educational and psychological treatments. However, studies using single‐subject experimental research designs are often excluded from meta‐analyses of evidence‐based practices due to the lack of methodological consensus on the type of effect size indices to be used to determine treatment effect. To promote the use of effect size indices as an adjunct to visual analysis, this article describes four nonoverlap methods (PND, IRD, PEM‐T and Tau‐U) and demonstrates their application to data obtained from studies employing different SSER designs. Advantages and disadvantages of each method are highlighted and considerations for selecting the most appropriate method are provided for researchers and practitioners.

The influence of the design matrix on treatment effect estimates in the quantitative analyses of single-subject experimental design research.

The quantitative methods for analyzing single-subject experimental data have expanded during the last decade, including the use of regression models to statistically analyze the data, but still a lot of questions remain. One question is how to specify predictors in a regression model to account for the specifics of the design and estimate the effect size of interest. These quantitative effect sizes are used in retrospective analyses and allow synthesis of single-subject experimental study results which is informative for evidence-based decision making, research and theory building, and policy discussions. We discuss different design matrices that can be used for the most common single-subject experimental designs (SSEDs), namely, the multiple-baseline designs, reversal designs, and alternating treatment designs, and provide empirical illustrations. The purpose of this article is to guide single-subject experimental data analysts interested in analyzing and meta-analyzing SSED data.

The Effects of Somatosensory Stimulation of the Hands on the Hand Functions and Visuomotor Coordination Function of Children with Developmental Disabilities

In the present study, to examine the effects of somatosensory stimulation of the hands on the hand functions and visuomotor coordination of children with developmental disabilities, a total of 24 sessions of experiments were conducted with three children with developmental disabilities for 60 minutes per session, three sessions per week from January 7, 2013 to March 11, 2013. To examine the effects of somatosensory stimulation of the hands on grasping and visuomotor coordination which are sub-areas of PDMS-2, the A-B study design was used which is a single case study method out of single-subject experimental research designs. Somatosensory stimulation of the hands was shown to be effective in improving the hand functions of children with developmental disabilities. Somatosensory stimulation of the hands showed positive effects on the raw scores and standardized scores of grasping and visuomotor coordination in all the three subject children. Visuomotor coordination functions showed higher scores in post-hoc tests in all three children. In particular, ring throws showed high scores at right <TEX>$90^{\circ}$</TEX>, right <TEX>$45^{\circ}$</TEX>, center, left <TEX>$45^{\circ}$</TEX>, and left <TEX>$90^{\circ}$</TEX> among visual directions. In the present study conducted with children with developmental disabilities, ring throws were performed to examine visuomotor coordination. In particular, the numbers of successes of ring throws on the front, left, and right were shown to be high. Therefore, somatosensory stimulation of the hands was effective on the hand functions and visuomotor coordination functions of children with developmental disabilities.

Comparison of Nonoverlap Methods for Identifying Treatment Effect in Single-Subject Experimental Research

Debate is occurring about which result interpretation aides focused on examining the experimental effect should be used in single-subject experimental research. In this study, we examined seven nonoverlap methods and compared results using each method to judgments of two visual analysts. The data sources for the present study were 36 studies focused on naturalistic instruction interventions for young children with disabilities and 222 A-B graphs available in these studies. Two visual analysts made judgments about whether a functional relationship was evident in 222 A-B graphs. A graphing program was used to derive data for calculating each of the nonoverlap methods. Results showed that (a) estimates of experimental effect varied across the seven nonoverlap methods and (b) nonoverlap methods corresponding most closely with visual analysts' judgments of a change in data patterns differed from the nonoverlap methods that corresponded most closely with visual analysts' judgments of no change in data patterns. Based on findings from this study, we discuss considerations for selection and use of nonoverlap methods as result interpretation aides in single-subject experimental research and offer directions for future research.

INTERVENSI BAGI ANAK YANG TERISOLIR MELALUI PERMAINAN “ELANG DAN ANAK AYAM”

This study was conducted to discover whether intervention program with role playing technique (Eagle and chicks) was able to increase the capability of social interaction of a isolation student in SDN Utan Kayu Selatan 13 Pagi, East Jakarta. This study was conducted from October through December 2013 using a single subject approach. The participant in this study included one child with social interaction difficulties. The data were collected through interview and observation. The analysis of data from a single subject experimental research used a chart analysis including the analysis results and analysis of conditions. Analysis of the conditions was used to analyze the changes in the conditions, the conditions of Baseline and Intervention. While inter-condition analysis is the analysis was used to analyze the change from one condition to another condition. The results showed a decreased ability of Baseline conditions and an increasing ability in Intervention condition. The increased capabilities included indicators of positive interaction with peer, participating in group activities, and responsive to others.

뇌졸중 환자의 직접 삼킴 치료가 삼킴 기능과 삶의 질에 미치는 효과

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of direct swallowing treatment on recovering swallowing functions and quality of life. The study was performed over three weeks from December 3 to 21, 2012 for one dysphagia patient who was diagnosed with a stroke. The study design was carried out using a reversal design (AB) in single-subject experimental research. The direct swallowing treatment were implemented by a total of 10 times, five times a week and 20 minutes for each treatment, and the results of the treatment were compared and analyzed based on the differences in scores during the treatment period of the baseline and swallowing treatment. After completing the direct swallowing treatment, the swallowing function in stroke patients was improved and the improved swallowing function affected the quality of life positively. Based on the results of this study, it is necessary to make efforts to improve the swallowing function and quality of life in patients through applying such early direct swallowing treatment with oral intakes for the subjects who can take direct swallowing treatment in clinics.

보이타 치료가 경직형 양하지 뇌성마비 아동의 대동작 운동기능 및 선택적인 수의적 운동조절에 미치는 영향

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Vojta therapy on Gross Motor Function Measurement(GMFM) and Selective Voluntary Motor Control (SVMC) in children with Spastic diplegia. Methods : During this experiment, the subject of four children diagnosed with spastic diplegia was tested using ABA design for Single-subject Experimental Research Design. The procedure consisted of baseline, intervention and follow-up phase which was held thirty minutes each for three times a week for a total of 24 times. Gross motor function was measured using GMFM and selective voluntary motor control was measured using SCALE. Results : According to this study, the gross motor function and selective voluntary motor control of all subjects were improved from their intervention phase to their baseline phase. During the follow phase which the intervention was removed, the ability that was enhanced during the prior phases was still either maintained or only reduced slightly. Conclusion : The Vojta therapy used on children diagnosed with spastic diplegia was effective on both GMFM and SVMC. In other words, the therapy was effective on coordination. However, this study is difficult to be generalized due to the insufficient number of subject. In further studies, it will be necessary to increase the number of trials with a control group in order to generalize the effectiveness of Vojta therapy.

Quality Appraisal of Single-Subject Experimental Designs: An Overview and Comparison of Different Appraisal Tools

Critical appraisal of the research literature is an essential step in informing and implementing evidence-based practice. Quality appraisal tools that assess the methodological quality of experimental studies provide a means to identify the most rigorous research suitable for evidence-based decision-making. In single-subject experimental research, quality appraisal is still in its infancy. Seven different quality appraisal tools were identified and compared with respect to their compliance with current standards for conducting single-subject experiments as well as their performance in evaluating research reports. Considerable variability was noted relative to the construction and content of the tools, which consequently led to variability in their evaluation results. Few tools provided empirical support for the validity of item construction and reliability of use. The Evaluative Method , the Certainty Framework , the What Works Clearinghouse Standards , and the Evidence in Augmentative and Alternative Communication Scales were identified as the more suitable instruments currently available for the critical appraisal of single-subject experimental designs, noting their different strengths and limitations. In the absence of a "gold standard critical appraisal tool," applied researchers and practitioners need to proceed with caution when interpreting evaluation results obtained from the existing tools, keeping their context and intent in mind.