Procedural Discourse Items, Treatment Hierarchy, and Post Hoc Calculations (Wambaugh et al., 2013)

Purpose: This investigation was designed to examine the effects of a modification of response elaboration training (RET; Kearns, 1985) with speakers with mild to mild–moderate aphasia. The modification entailed application of RET to procedural discourse and personal recounts rather than to narrative discourse.

Method: Three participants with chronic aphasia received modified RET (M–RET) applied sequentially in the context of multiple baseline designs to the conditions of personal recounts and procedural discourse. Production of correct information units (CIUs; Nicholas & Brookshire, 1993) served as the primary dependent variable.

Results: Participants 2 and 3 demonstrated increases in the production of CIUs in response to treatment of procedures. M–RET applied to the personal recount condition was not associated with increased production of CIUs in personal recounts in probes. However, Participant 1 demonstrated increased CIU production for previously treated procedures when treatment was applied to personal recounts. Small effect sizes were obtained for procedural sets for Participant 1, and large effect sizes were obtained for procedural sets for Participants 2 and 3. Maintenance of gains at 3 and 6 weeks post treatment was strong.

Conclusion: Application of M–RET to procedural discourse appears to be a viable treatment option for participants with mild to mild–moderate aphasia.