The role of executive functions in treatment outcomes of conversational coaching : a case study approach

Abstract

Recent studies have suggested that executive functions might predict language treatment outcomes in people with aphasia (PWA). However, the available evidence was still inadequate, and the scope of research has been restricted to anomia therapy. The present study investigated the relationship between executive functions, specifically fluid intelligence and cognitive flexibility, and treatment outcomes of conversational coaching in two case studies. Two Cantonese-speaking PWA with comparable levels of language impairment but differing in level of executive functions were recruited. The two participants were trained to use various verbal and non-verbal strategies to communicate stories with their communication partners in a 6-week program. Their performance was evaluated using main concept analysis. The results indicated that both PWA were able to construct significantly more story content with their partners after treatment. Comparing the treatment gains of the two participants, the individual with relatively better fluid intelligence and cognitive flexibility achieved greater improvement in conveying ideas alone and with the help of the partner. The preliminary results supported the view that executive functions were important in treatments targeting conversation. Future research with a larger scale is warranted to confirm the role of executive functions in treatment outcomes of other conversation therapy approaches.