Exploring Methods of Communication in Patients with

Aphasia

Jonathan CantonUC Merced

Previous Research

TypesAphasia has been studied for many years. There are varying types of aphasia, but the two main categories are Broca and Wernicke’s Aphasia.

Related Studies1. The subjects were tested on their ability to express what was happening in a picture that consisted of a subject and an action. (Hillis, Heidler-Gary, Newhart, Chang, Ken, Bak, 2006) 2. The subjects were given a visual stimuli and were evaluated based on the recordings of actions and gestures they performed in reaction to a stimuli (Mol, Krahmer, van de Sandt-Koenderman, 2013)3. The neurological processes of two individuals afflicted with aphasia were examined (Cairns, Marshall, Cairns, Dipper 2007).

Proposal/Hypothesis

Purpose - To dispel misconception regarding aphasia and intelligence and to further explore effective means of communication for patients with non-fluent (Broca’s) Aphasia.

Hypothesis – If the patient exhibits appropriate brain function and physical gestures in correspondence to an audiovisual stimuli, then it can be inferred that the patient has the capacity to respond to speech in effective manners, despite their brain damage.

Experimental Design

Participants- Full Consent- 20 Aphasic/ 20 Control

Methods/Procedures- One initial 2-day session and another 2-day session at least 6 months later.- Separate into 3 groups: Mild Aphasia, Severe Aphasia, Control Group- Engage each participant individually by use of audiovisual stimuli and evaluate patient’s response through EEG and video recordings .

Expected Results

Best Case Scenario- The most likely scenario would be that the researchers observe a positive correlation between the appropriate brain activity and the physical gestures

and responses that the patients give.-Aphasic patients show similar Intellect and brain functions to normal people. Impaired, but similar gestures as well.

Worst Case Scenario-The patient is completely unresponsive and shows completely uncorrelated physical responses and brain functions in response to an audiovisual stimuli.

Budget

Expected Expenses Expected Costs

Facility Rental $100 x 4 Days = $400.00

Instrument Rental EEG Machine Rental- $600 x 4 Days = $2,400.00Camera Purchase = $200.00

Specialist Employment $100.00 x 4 Days = $400.00

Experiment Advertisement $500.00

Patient Stipend $25 x 40 patients = $1,000.00

Total Cost $4,900.00

Conclusion

- Broca’s Aphasia, or any other form of aphasia, is not related to intelligence.

- To help find ways of helping aphasic patients communicate their thoughts in an effective manner with the use of facial expressions and physical gestures.

Questions?