Measuring Working Memory Deficits in Aphasia

Autor/inn/en	Mayer, Jamie F.; Murray, Laura L.
Titel	Measuring Working Memory Deficits in Aphasia
Quelle	In: Journal of Communication Disorders, 45 (2012) 5, S.325-339 (15 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0021-9924
DOI	10.1016/j.jcomdis.2012.06.002
Schlagwörter	Stimuli; Reaction Time; Aphasia; Short Term Memory; Adults; Evaluation Methods; Age Differences; Reliability; Measurement Techniques; Communication Disorders; Comparative Analysis; Matched Groups; Data Analysis; Measures (Individuals); Predictor Variables; Cognitive Measurement + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Anreizsystem; Reaktionsvermögen; Expressive Aphasie; Aphasie; Kurzzeitgedächtnis; Age; Difference; Age difference; Altersunterschied; Reliabilität; Messtechnik; Kommunikationsstörung; Auswertung; Messdaten; Prädiktor
Abstract	Purpose: Many adults with aphasia demonstrate concomitant deficits in working memory (WM), but such deficits are difficult to quantify because of a lack of validated measures as well as the complex interdependence between language and WM. We examined the feasibility, reliability, and internal consistency of an "n"-back task for evaluating WM in aphasia, then explored the influence of domain-general (WM load, reaction time, age) and domain-specific (language) factors. Method: Fourteen adults with aphasia and 12 age-and education-matched controls completed "n"-back tasks varying in stimulus type (high-frequency, low-frequency, or non-nameable stimuli) and WM load (0-, 1-, and 2-back). Data analyses explored the impact of these variables within and across participants and groups. Results: "n"-Back scores were collectively reliable across conditions. Both groups performed similarly across stimulus types with significantly greater WM accuracy for nameable versus non-nameable stimuli. Compared to the controls, adults with aphasia were significantly more affected by increasing WM load. RT effects generally paralleled accuracy data, whereas age effects were inconsistent across tasks. Conclusions: These data are consistent with WM deficits in aphasia, for which the "n"-back task holds promise for clinical quantification. Learning outcomes: Readers will be able to: (a) define working memory, (b) discuss the difficulty inherent in removing language from a complex cognitive task, and (c) describe how the "n"-back task may contribute to measuring working memory capacity in individuals with aphasia. (Contains 1 table and 5 figures.) (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Elsevier. 6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32887-4800. Tel: 877-839-7126; Tel: 407-345-4020; Fax: 407-363-1354; e-mail: usjcs@elsevier.com; Web site: http://www.elsevier.com
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10