Objective: This investigation aimed to determine the effect that repeated trials using a speech-generating device (SGD) have on the production of nouns in persons with chronic expressive aphasia. Many persons with aphasia (PWAs) have trouble naming items. Pictures are used to convey messages that they are unable to verbalize. Methods: Three males, ages 67-76 years old, 2-8 years post diagnosis with conduction, Broca’s, and anomic aphasia types, respectively, participated in an ABAB study to examine their ability to verbally produce five repeated trials of 20 nouns of everyday use when presented on an (SGD) using personally photographed icons, two times a week, for four weeks via remote video meetings. Results: Participant 1 exhibited an average increase in performance of 31.7% from Phase A1 to Phase B1 and a 20% increase from Phase A2 to Intervention Phase B2. Participant exhibited an average increase in performance of 28.2% in Phase A1 to Phase B1 and a 24.5% increase from Phase A2 to Phase B2. Participant 3 had a 33.7% increase from Phase A1 to Phase B1 and a 33% increase from Phase A2 to Phase B2. Conclusions: The results of this study support other findings that visual images help to stimulate language and word meanings. Further, intensive dosing with repetition may improve skills in regaining language and increasing vocabulary for PWAs.
