Naming Treatment for Aphasia

Enrolling by invitation at 1 trial location

Overseen By Kelly Horel, CCC SLP

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Albert Einstein Healthcare Network

Disqualifiers: Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 5

Duration: 5 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial focuses on testing a new treatment for aphasia, a language disorder often caused by a stroke that affects both speaking and understanding words. The trial explores the effectiveness and tolerability of a new naming treatment, called Criterion-learning Based Naming Treatment, which uses retrieval practice to improve word recall and comprehension. As a single-arm study, all participants receive the same treatment, which could eventually be used at home to support traditional therapy. Individuals who have had a stroke at least six months ago, speak English as their primary language, and do not have other neurological conditions might be suitable for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers the opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance future aphasia treatments.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this treatment is safe for people with aphasia?

Research has shown that the Criterion-learning Based Naming Treatment for aphasia has been studied in several projects. Although the studies do not detail specific safety data for this treatment, it relies on well-known methods like errorless learning and word retrieval. These methods are commonly used in language therapy and are generally safe for patients.

The treatment involves computer-based naming exercises for people with aphasia, a language disorder often caused by strokes. These therapies are usually considered safe because they focus on language practice rather than medications or medical procedures. However, as with any treatment, individual experiences can vary, so healthcare professionals must monitor participants to ensure the treatment remains safe for them. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Criterion-learning Based Naming Treatment for aphasia because it offers a unique approach compared to traditional speech therapies. Unlike standard treatments that often focus on repetitive practice, this method uses a criterion-learning approach, which tailors the learning process to meet specific performance benchmarks. This personalized method has the potential to enhance the brain's ability to relearn language more effectively. By targeting the specific areas where patients struggle, this technique could lead to faster and more sustainable improvements in naming and language use.

What evidence suggests that this treatment might be an effective treatment for aphasia?

Research has shown that the Criterion-learning Based Naming Treatment may benefit people with aphasia, a language disorder often occurring after strokes. Some studies have found that this treatment can enhance naming abilities, with participants becoming more accurate in naming objects. For instance, individuals trained with this method scored 1.6 points higher on naming tests like the Boston Naming Test. Early results also suggest that practicing word retrieval can significantly improve naming and understanding words. While individual results may vary, these findings offer promise for those interested in a trial to improve language skills affected by aphasia. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Erica L Middleton, PhD

Principal Investigator

Albert Einstein Healthcare Network

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults who have had a stroke at least 6 months ago and primarily speak English. It's designed to help those with aphasia, which is a language disorder affecting speech and comprehension.

Inclusion Criteria

English is my first language.

I had a stroke more than 6 months ago.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in a multi-session naming treatment study with criterion-learning practice, involving five training sessions generally separated by one week.

5 weeks

5 visits (in-person or virtual)

Retention Test

A retention test of naming performance is administered approximately one week following the final training session to assess naming mastery.

1 week

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, with additional retention tests approximately one week and one month post-treatment.

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Criterion-learning Based Naming Treatment

Trial Overview The study tests a treatment called 'Criterion-learning practice' aimed at improving word retrieval in people with aphasia. The treatment involves exercises that focus on correct word usage, spread out over multiple sessions.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Criterion-learning practice Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This is a single-arm study.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Albert Einstein Healthcare Network

Lead Sponsor

Trials

65

Recruited

869,000+

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

Collaborator

Trials

377

Recruited

190,000+

Thomas Jefferson University

Collaborator

Trials

475

Recruited

189,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A semantic-based treatment for picture naming was effective for 2 out of 4 individuals with Broca's aphasia, leading to improved naming of both trained and untrained nouns.

For the other 2 participants, improvements in naming only occurred after additional treatment focused on phonological information, highlighting the importance of tailoring therapy to individual needs in lexical processing.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Model-based semantic treatment for naming deficits in aphasia. Drew, RL., Thompson, CK.[2019]

In a study involving 10 individuals with aphasia, phonological cues were found to be more effective than semantic cues for improving picture naming accuracy, particularly for items with low visual complexity.

The results suggest that phonological cues aid in the initial categorization of pictures rather than directly mapping to phonological processes, which has important implications for developing more effective rehabilitation therapies for naming impairments.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

What Does a Cue Do? Comparing Phonological and Semantic Cues for Picture Naming in Aphasia. Meteyard, L., Bose, A.[2019]

In a study involving 72 participants with stroke aphasia, using a distance measure that accounts for item difficulty and response types revealed more significant treatment effects on naming ability compared to standard accuracy measures.

The results suggest that naming ability is made up of different subabilities, indicating that more nuanced measures can better capture the effectiveness of therapies for anomia.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Beyond Percent Correct: Measuring Change in Individual Picture Naming Ability. Walker, GM., Basilakos, A., Fridriksson, J., et al.[2022]

In a study of 104 individuals with chronic post-stroke aphasia, semantically focused treatment was found to be more effective than phonologically focused treatment for improving naming performance, regardless of treatment order.

Participants with milder speech impairments and fluent speech were more likely to respond positively to semantic treatment, while those with more severe impairments and apraxia of speech benefited more from phonological treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Individualized response to semantic versus phonological aphasia therapies in stroke. Kristinsson, S., Basilakos, A., Elm, J., et al.[2022]

This systematic review analyzed 19 studies on three learning-based approaches (errorless learning, errorful learning, and retrieval practice) for improving naming in aphasia, highlighting the importance of understanding mechanisms of action (MoAs) to enhance treatment effectiveness.

Key proposed MoAs included Hebbian learning and effortful retrieval, but significant knowledge gaps remain regarding which specific ingredients influence these mechanisms and how individual patient characteristics affect treatment outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Errorless, Errorful, and Retrieval Practice for Naming Treatment in Aphasia: A Scoping Review of Learning Mechanisms and Treatment Ingredients. Nunn, K., Vallila-Rohter, S., Middleton, EL.[2023]

In a study involving 12 adult patients with chronic acquired aphasia, both semantic and phonological treatments led to significant improvements in picture naming abilities after 4 or 8 treatment sessions.

The semantic treatment showed a small but significant advantage over phonological treatment, particularly in generalizing improvements to untreated items, indicating its effectiveness in enhancing word retrieval skills.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Treatment of word retrieval deficits in aphasia. A comparison of two therapy methods. Howard, D., Patterson, K., Franklin, S., et al.[2006]

Semantic feature analysis is an effective intervention for improving naming abilities in individuals with aphasia, as shown by a review of 11 studies that utilized single subject research designs.

While most participants showed a small effect size using Cohen's d, a large treatment effect was observed when calculating the percent of non-overlapping data, indicating significant improvements in confrontational naming for many individuals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effectiveness of semantic feature analysis: an evidence-based systematic review. Maddy, KM., Capilouto, GJ., McComas, KL.[2018]

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06364709

Criterion-learning Based Naming Treatment in Aphasia The overarching goal of this project is to develop and test early efficacy, efficiency, and the tolerability of a lexical treatment for aphasia in multiple- ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12440831/

Outcomes of an App-Based Intervention to Target Naming ... Training with VoiceAdapt resulted in an increase of 1.6 points on the Boston Naming Test (Cohen d=0.3).

3. ctv.veeva.com ctv.veeva.com/study/criterion-learning-naming-treatment-for-addressing-comprehension-deficits-in-aphasia

Criterion-learning Naming Treatment For Addressing ... The overarching goal of this project is to develop and test early efficacy, efficiency, and the tolerability of a lexical treatment for aphasia ...

4. pubs.asha.org pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/2025_JSLHR-25-00101

Cognitive Functions Supporting Learning Over Time in ... For trained items, there was a small baseline trend that corresponded to an increase in estimated average naming accuracy from 15.4% at the first baseline ...

5. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02687038.2022.2144112

Outcomes from a pilot dose comparison study of naming ... As anticipated, individual treatment responses varied substantially. Three participants demonstrated significantly improved picture naming ...

6. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06364709?term=AREA%5BConditionSearch%5D(aphasia)&rank=9

Criterion-learning Based Naming Treatment in Aphasia | ... Members are chosen based on the scientific skills and knowledge needed to monitor the particular trial. Also called a data safety and monitoring board, or DSMB.

7. clinconnect.io clinconnect.io/trials/NCT07179458

Criterion-learning Naming Treatment For Addressing ClinConnect Summary. This study is testing a computer-based naming treatment for people with aphasia, a language problem that often happens after a stroke.

8. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12072502/

Safety and Efficacy of Different Therapeutic Interventions ... Results: Fifty-seven studies with 655 patients were included. For naming and word finding, errorless learning therapy, lexical retrieval cascade ...

9. trialx.com trialx.com/clinical-trials/listings/217867/balancing-effortful-and-errorless-learning-in-naming-treatment-for-aphasia/

Balancing Effortful and Errorless Learning in Naming ... Study design: The investigators will enroll 30 people with aphasia in a randomized within-subjects crossover design comparing trained words in ...