Improving lexical retrieval with LingoTalk: an app-based, self-administered treatment for clients with aphasia

Abstract

IntroductionLingoTalk is a German speech-language app designed to enhance lexical retrieval in individuals with aphasia. It incorporates automatic speech recognition (ASR) to provide therapist-independent feedback. The execution and effectiveness of a self-administered intervention with LingoTalk was explored in a case series study.MethodsThree individuals with chronic aphasia participated in a highly individualized, supervised self-administered intervention lasting 3 weeks. The LingoTalk app closely monitored the frequency, intensity and progress of the intervention. Treatment efficacy was assessed using a multiple baseline design, examining both item-specific treatment effects and generalization to untreated items, an untreated task, and spontaneous speech.ResultsAll participants successfully completed the intervention with LingoTalk, although one participant was not able to use the ASR feature. None of the participants fully adhered to the treatment protocol. All participants demonstrated significant and sustained improvement in the naming of practiced items, although there was limited evidence of generalization. Additionally, there was a slight reduction in word-finding difficulties during spontaneous speech.DiscussionThis small-scale study indicates that self-administered intervention with LingoTalk can improve oral naming of treated items. Thus, it has the potential to complement face-to-face speech-language therapy, such as within in a “flipped speech room” approach. The choice of feedback mode is discussed. Transparent progress monitoring of the intervention appears to positively influence patients' motivation.

Digital participation of brain tumour patients in the assessment and treatment of communication disorders

“…Over the recent years, a still very limited number of digital speech and language therapy tools have been reported for use in this context, beyond the pure telemedicine approach of conducting patient visits via video call, e.g., the LingoTalk app (Heide et al, 2023 ), the neolexon apps (Thunstedt et al, 2020 ), the Constant Therapy (Braley et al, 2021 ), and the ORLA (Cherney et al, 2021 ) digital/computer programs, as well as more recent virtual technology approaches (e.g., Marshall et al, 2020 ; Repetto et al, 2021 ). Further promising tools are still in development or awaiting publication, e.g., the TELL (Corsten and Iserloh, n.d. ) and the Dysartrain (Klose and John, n.d. ) platforms for interactive digital speech and language therapy.…”

Digital participation and communication disorders across the lifespan

“…Over the recent years, a still very limited number of digital speech and language therapy tools have been reported for use in this context, beyond the pure telemedicine approach of conducting patient visits via video call, e.g., the LingoTalk app (Heide et al, 2023), the neolexon apps (Thunstedt et al, 2020), the Constant Therapy (Braley et al, 2021), and the ORLA (Cherney et al, 2021) digital/computer programs, as well as more recent virtual technology approaches (e.g., Marshall et al, 2020;Repetto et al, 2021). Further promising tools are still in development or awaiting publication, e.g., the TELL (Corsten and Iserloh, n.d.) and the Dysartrain (Klose and John, n.d.) platforms for interactive digital speech and language therapy.…”