RESUMEN
Primary progressive aphasia is a neurodegenerative condition characterised by a progressive and isolated disorder of expressive language, associated with atrophy of the left posterior frontoinsular region (nonfluent/agrammatic variant) or with atrophy of the left temporoparietal junction area (logopenic variant). This literature review reports studies about language therapies for these two variants of primary progressive aphasia. More precisely, the review presents the behavioral interventions and the augmentative/alternative communication tools reported in the literature to improve language performances or to compensate for language difficulties. Most of these studies reported that interventions are efficient. However, inconsistent results are found regarding maintenance of improvement and generalization to untreated language abilities. Other studies are still required to establish the clinical relevance of interventions for language and communication disorders in primary progressive aphasia. In these studies, the use of more ecological interventions focusing on the specific needs of people living with this disease should be specifically addressed.
Asunto(s)
Afasia Progresiva Primaria , Lenguaje , Atrofia , Humanos , Pruebas del LenguajeRESUMEN
Semantic dementia (SD) is a neurodegenerative condition characterised by a progressive disorder of semantic processing, word comprehension and anomia. This literature review reports behavioural studies about language therapies for SD. More precisely, the review presents the cognitive, participative and alternative/augmentative interventions reported in the literature to improve language performances or to compensate for language worsening associated with the disease. Most studies show that interventions are efficient. However, maintenance of improvement and generalization to untreated language abilities remain limited. Other studies are still required to establish the clinical relevance of interventions for language and communication disorders in semantic dementia. In these studies, the use of more ecological interventions focusing on the specific needs of people living with semantic dementia should be specifically addressed.