There is a continued need for empirical data supporting the treatment of people with aphasia in the acute care setting including the use of modified melodic intonation therapy

Authors

Miechelle L. McKelvey, University of Nebraska at LincolnFollow
Kristy S.E. Weissling, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2013

Citation

Published in Evidence-Based Communication Assessment and Intervention 7:2 (2013), pp 79–83. doi:10.1080/17489539.2013.849934

Comments

Copyright © 2013 Taylor & Francis. Used by permission.

Abstract

Abstract from & commentary on: Conkly, D., Novac, E., Boissy, A. Bethoux, F., & Chemali, K. (2012). The effects of modified melodic intonation therapy on nonfluent aphasia: A pilot study. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 55, 1462–1471.

Q: What are the immediate effects of Modified Melodic Intonation Therapy (MMIT) on the modified repetition and responsive subtests of the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) in stroke patients with Broca’s aphasia?

While this study had several limitations, the basic premises—the exploration of the effectiveness of changes to traditional MIT and the exploration of treatment in very acute stages—were valuable. Further systematic lines of research exploring the effect of various treatments and responsiveness to treatment in subsets of people with aphasia should be undertaken. The authors of this study should be commended for their efforts to utilize a systematic approach to further our knowledge of the impact of MMIT and acute rehabilitation.