Pragmatic Assessment and Intervention in Adults

Saldert, Charlotta

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-47489-2_20

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…When trying to detect language deficits of a more subtle nature, standard aphasia batteries are insufficient (Body & Perkins, 2006;Coelho, Ylvisaker, & Turkstra, 2005;Crosson, 1996;Saldert, 2017). Tasks that are more suitable usually depend on the integration of language and several other aspects of cognition, such as executive functions and memory, including pragmatic ability, which makes them more complex.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several more or less established test batteries are currently used to detect such subtle language disorders, including the Test of Language Comprehension (TLC; Wiig & Secord, 1989) and the Mount Wilga High Level Language Screening Test (MWHLL; Christie, Clark, & Mortensen, 1986). However, such instruments have received criticism due to a lack of a theoretical framework explaining why the tasks may be difficult and also due to questionable reliability and validity (Body & Perkins, 2006;Coelho et al, 2005;Frith, Togher, Ferguson, Levick, & Docking, 2014;Saldert, 2017). Thus, there is a need for valid language tests suitable to capture subtle language difficulties.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Complex oral semantic verbal fluency in non-brain-damaged adults and individuals with multiple sclerosis and subjective anomia

Bauer

Saldert

2019

Aphasiology

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Background: Many neurologic conditions, for example multiple sclerosis (MS), are associated with subtle communication and language difficulties. To detect such difficulties, there is a need for valid and reliable methods. While standard aphasia test batteries have been found insufficient, more complex language tasks are believed to be able to distinguish more subtle language difficulties from normal variation in communicative ability. Aims: The aim of this study was to: (1) explore the influence of demographic variables on the results of a novel complex oral semantic fluency task with multiple restrictions in non-braindamaged (NBD) adults, (2) investigate the construct validity and reliability of the method, and (3) compare the results of NBD individuals and individuals with MS. Method and procedure: One hundred and ten NBD individuals performed the complex task and three standard fluency tasks with single restrictions. Regression analyses were run to assess the influence of demographic factors. Furthermore, 16 individuals with MS and subjective anomia performed the complex task and the results were compared with those for a matched group of NBD individuals. Outcome and results: Age and education influenced the NBD individuals' scores on the complex task. The NBD individuals' results on the complex task correlated with those on the three standard fluency tasks. Furthermore, the subgroup of 16 pair-matched NBD individuals produced statistically significantly more adequate responses in the complex task than the group of individuals with MS. However, on an individual level some of the participants with MS performed at level with, or even better than the pair-matched NBD individuals. Provision of scoring guidelines yielded high interrater-reliability. Conclusions: The results illustrate the challenge in attempts to provide formal measures of subtle language disorders. Still, the complex task is a promising assessment tool which may be a complement to existing standard word fluency tasks, although future studies are required to establish the validity and ability to detect subtle language difficulties in different clinical groups.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complex oral semantic verbal fluency in non-brain-damaged adults and individuals with multiple sclerosis and subjective anomia

Bauer

Saldert

2019

Aphasiology

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“…The common denominator is that tasks measuring abilities which are requiring this type of processing needs to be cognitively demanding and depending on an integration of language and non‐language functions. It has been argued that more subtle language difficulties can be hard to detect with established language assessment tools, such as standard diagnostic aphasia tests (Bauer & Saldert, 2020 ; Berg et al., 2003 ; Lethlean & Murdoch, 1997 ; Miller, 2017 ; Saldert, 2017 ). The reason for this could be that many of the established language assessment tools do not include tasks sensitive to higher level language functions, or more complex tasks, taxing the interface of language and other cognitive functions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Word‐finding difficulties in Parkinson's disease: Complex verbal fluency, executive functions and other influencing factors

Hedman

Hartelius

Saldert

2022

Intl J Lang & Comm Disor

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Background Persons with Parkinson's disease (PD) frequently report word‐finding difficulties. Many of the established tests are, however, insufficient in detecting mild cases of such symptoms. Results from earlier research have suggested that controlled oral word association tests (COWATs) with high demands on cognitive processing resources could prove helpful in detecting the more subtle (language‐related) problems seen in neurological disorders such as PD. Aims First, to examine whether persons with PD (PwPD) differ in performance on different types of COWATs compared with non‐brain‐damaged controls. Second, to investigate possible relationships between executive functions and the novel complex oral semantic fluency (COSEF) task performance scores in the PwPD group. Third, to investigate whether age, years of education, severity of motor symptoms and self‐perceived severity of word‐finding difficulties influenced the COSEF task results. Methods & Procedures A total of 17 PwPD participated in the study. Their results were compared with a matched control group (n = 17) at both group and individual levels. One phonemic and two types of semantic COWATs were used. Correlations between the COSEF task and executive function results, age, education and severity of motor symptoms were analysed in the PwPD group. Outcomes & Results The PwPD group had significantly lower scores on the COSEF task compared with the control group, but not on the other COWATs. A variation in the results was seen on an individual level. In the PwPD group, large significant correlations were seen between the COSEF task and verbally based tasks measuring working memory and cognitive flexibility. Both age and education, but neither self‐perceived severity of word‐finding difficulties nor motor symptoms, were correlated with the COSEF task result in the group of PwPD. Conclusions & Implications The results are in line with the predictions that a relatively more cognitive demanding COWAT such as the COSEF task could prove valuable when assessing word‐finding difficulties in PD in research and clinical assessment. What this paper adds What is already known on the subjectVarying degrees of word‐finding difficulties are a common symptom in PD and may affect everyday communication. Discreet word‐finding difficulties can be hard to detect with the established language assessment tools. What this paper adds to existing knowledgeThis study adds insights into how PwPD perform on different types of COWATs compared with a control group. It also sheds light on the relationships between a novel, more cognitive complex COWAT and executive functions in PD. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?More cognitively complex COWATs can contribute significantly to the assessment of discreet word‐finding difficulties, but it is important to include a thorough anamnesis regarding language and communication in PwPD.

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“…In addition to their scarcity, existing tools for assessing the comprehension of non-literal language have certain limitations. Firstly, while several tools are relevant for diagnosing pragmatic disorders (e.g., the MEC protocol), few provide information for planning therapies in relation to the underlying cognitive impairments (Saldert, 2017;Sohlberg et al, 2019). The term "cognitive-communication disorders" was recently introduced to emphasize that pragmatic disorders are generally secondary to cognitive impairment (Togher et al, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The control of these factors within the assessment tools promotes internal consistency between test items and provides valuable insight into patients' abilities to integrate this contextual information. Finally, many existing tools were criticized because they are not available or accessible due to their cost or for lack of publication in the public domain, or what has been published does not contain validity measures and normative data (Saldert, 2017;Sohlberg et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A New Test of Irony and Indirect Requests Comprehension—The IRRI Test: Validation and Normative Data in French-Speaking Adults

Cordonier

Champagne-Lavau

Fossard

2021

Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology

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Objective Nonliteral language comprehension disorders in individuals with acquired brain injuries (ABI) are frequently reported in the literature but rarely assessed in clinical settings. A major reason is the lack of tools available to clinicians. Therefore, the present study aimed to further promote the pragmatic assessment routine by creating a new nonliteral language comprehension tool for ABI individuals: the IRRI test. This tool is intended to be standardized and capable of directing clinicians to cognitive deficits underlying a poor understanding of nonliteral language—context processing, executive functions, and theory of mind. Method Three studies were conducted. The first study aimed at constructing the two IRRI test tasks: the irony and indirect requests comprehension tasks. These tasks integrate the cognitive processes within them. The second study aimed at analyzing the tasks’ psychometric qualities in a sample of 33 ABI participants and 33 healthy participants (HC). Preliminary normative data obtained from 102 healthy French-speaking subjects were collected in the third study. Results Significant differences in the IRRI test’s performances were observed between the ABI and HC individuals. The indirect requests task demonstrated robust convergent validity and good sensibility to discriminate altered participants among ABI participants. Both IRRI test’s tasks also showed excellent test–retest and inter-rater reliability. The preliminary norms were stratified according to the conditions of interest in relation to the cognitive mechanisms underlying the understanding of nonliteral language. Conclusions The IRRI test is a promising new standardized test of nonliteral language comprehension, which contributes to identifying cognitive-pragmatic profiles to guide therapy.

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Pragmatic Assessment and Intervention in Adults

Cited by 5 publications

References 97 publications

Complex oral semantic verbal fluency in non-brain-damaged adults and individuals with multiple sclerosis and subjective anomia

Complex oral semantic verbal fluency in non-brain-damaged adults and individuals with multiple sclerosis and subjective anomia

Word‐finding difficulties in Parkinson's disease: Complex verbal fluency, executive functions and other influencing factors

A New Test of Irony and Indirect Requests Comprehension—The IRRI Test: Validation and Normative Data in French-Speaking Adults

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