Using Open-Source Software to Help Spanish Speakers With Aphasia Learn Everyday Sentences: A Single-Case Experimental Design.

PURPOSE: There is a critical need to develop evidence-based and accessible interventions for Spanish speakers with aphasia (SSWA). Script training is a well-established treatment that helps people with aphasia learn sentences for daily-life situations, but its evidence comes primarily from English speakers. This study aimed to examine the acceptability, usability, and preliminary efficacy of a script training intervention delivered via open-source software using adaptive distributed practice for SSWA.

METHOD: Six SSWA participated in this single-subject multiple-baseline design. Acceptability was assessed using the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8 (CSQ-8), usability was assessed using the System Usability Scale (SUS), and preliminary efficacy was evaluated based on learning a set of 45 scripted sentences from a sentence repository developed by stakeholders using Bayesian generalized mixed-effects models. The treatment spanned 6 weeks with a combination of synchronous and asynchronous practice.

RESULTS

The group mean in the CSQ-8 and SUS indicated that participants considered the software-based treatment acceptable and usable. Statistical models indicated robust evidence for immediate and sustained treatment effects throughout treatment. The estimated number of sentences gained for the average participant was 31, ranging from 21 to 42 (out of 45 treated sentences).

CONCLUSIONS

We adapted an evidence-based treatment for SSWA, script training, and delivered it using software-based adaptive distributed practice. We found excellent usability, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of script training treatment using open-source software.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.30885911.