Teaching face-name associations to survivors of traumatic brain injury: a sequential treatment approach.

Recalling names in real-world contexts is often difficult for survivors of traumatic brain injury despite successful completion of face-name association training programmes. This small number study utilized a sequential treatment approach in which a traditional training programme preceded real-world training. The traditional training component was identical across programmes: one-on-one intervention using visual imagery and photographs to assist in mastery of face-name associations. The real-world training component compared the effectiveness of three cueing strategies--name restating, phonemic cueing and visual imagery--and was conducted by the actual to-be-named people. Results revealed improved name learning and use by the participants regardless of cueing strategy. After treatment targeting six names, four of five participants consistently used two or more names spontaneously and consistently knew three or more names in response to questioning. In addition to documenting the effectiveness of real-world treatment paradigms, the findings call into question the necessity for preliminary traditional intervention.

Speech recognition training for enhancing written language generation by a traumatic brain injury survivor.

Impairments in motor functioning, language processing, and cognitive status may impact the written language performance of traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors. One strategy to minimize the impact of these impairments is to use a speech recognition system. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of mild dysarthria and mild cognitive-communication deficits secondary to TBI on a 19-year-old survivor's mastery and use of such a system-specifically, Dragon Naturally Speaking. Data included the % of the participant's words accurately perceived by the system over time, the participant's accuracy over time in using commands for navigation and error correction, and quantitative and qualitative changes in the participant's written texts generated with and without the use of the speech recognition system. Results showed that Dragon NaturallySpeaking was approximately 80% accurate in perceiving words spoken by the participant, and the participant quickly and easily mastered all navigation and error correction commands presented. Quantitatively, the participant produced a greater amount of text using traditional word processing and a standard keyboard than using the speech recognition system. Minimal qualitative differences appeared between writing samples. Discussion of factors that may have contributed to the obtained results and that may affect the generalization of the findings to other TBI survivors is provided.

Effect of training frequency on face-name recall by adults with traumatic brain injury.

Many TBI survivors have difficulty recalling the names of people with whom they frequently interact. Researchers have established that mnemonics and visual imagery strategies are often effective in facilitating encoding and recall of such information; however, no research exists pertaining to the frequency that such training should occur. The purpose of this study was to assess the relative effectiveness of three frequencies of intervention sessions--once per day, two times per week, and five times per day--on TBI survivors' ability to recall face-name associations. Results showed that sessions held daily and twice a week were more effective than sessions held five times per day. Mnemonics and visual imagery strategies were effective for four of the seven participants, regardless of frequency of intervention sessions. Implications for treatment and future research are discussed.