Faculty Collaboration Database

Core-Lexicon and Main-Concept Production During Picture-Sequence Description in Adults Without Brain Damage and Adults With Aphasia. Am J Speech Lang Pathol 2015 Nov;24(4):S923-38

Date

07/04/2015

Pubmed ID

26140462

DOI

10.1044/2015_AJSLP-14-0161

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84981743034 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   46 Citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: We sought to identify the core lexicon of a picture-description task using transcripts from the AphasiaBank database and to determine differences in core-lexicon usage between control speakers and persons with aphasia (PWAs). We also investigated the relationship between core lexicon and an established discourse measure, main-concept analysis.

METHOD: A core lexicon was developed by identifying lemmas produced by 92 control speakers. Transcripts were scored-165 control transcripts and 238 PWA transcripts-using the core lexicon and a recently developed main-concept list. Median tests examined differences between controls, PWAs, and aphasia subtypes. Spearman's correlations assessed the relationship between core-lexicon and main-concept performance.

RESULTS: A 24-item core lexicon was identified. Significant differences were found between control speakers and PWAs, and between aphasia subtypes, for core-lexicon and main-concept scores. Core-lexicon and main-concept performance was significantly and positively correlated for all groups.

CONCLUSIONS: We report the development of a core lexicon, differences in core-lexicon usage between speakers, and the relationship between core-lexicon and main-concept scores. Research is needed to determine the clinical utility and psychometric properties of these discourse measures and their potential contribution to multilevel discourse analysis of functional communication.

Author List

Dalton SG, Richardson JD

Author

Sarah Grace Dalton PH.D., CCC-SLP Assistant Professor in the Speech Pathology and Audiology department at Marquette University

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aphasia
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Neuropsychological Tests
Pattern Recognition, Visual
Psychometrics
Reference Values
Semantics
Verbal Behavior
Vocabulary