Time Windows for Indexing Language Comprehension in Adults With and Without Aphasia

Time-course analysis on eye-tracking data has been proven useful by previous researchers who have studied language processing of spoken and written input. Researchers found that language processing is a time-locked activity that can be based on eye movements. However, the ideal time windows for capturing when a person comprehends verbal stimuli have not been determined for people with and without language impairment. In the current study, existing data from 40 participants with aphasia (PwA) and 40 participants without aphasia (control) were analyzed. These data were collected for a larger study incorporating the Multiple Choice Test of Auditory Comprehension (MCTAC). The MCTAC consists of eight subtests of linguistic stimuli of varying length and complexity. Mean proportion of fixation duration (PFDT) on the target item was observed across time windows with additive duration from 200 ms and increasing by 200 ms for consecutive time windows through the end of each trial. Between-group and within-group comparisons were performed based on the mean PFDT values and patterns across time windows for every MCTAC subtest included in the study. We predicted that PwA would demonstrate the maximum mean PFDT at a later time window, as compared to the control group. The results demonstrated the highest mean PFDT at the final time window for both groups in all MCTAC subtests. We predicted that PwA data would demonstrate a significant negative correlation between time windows with the maximum mean PFDT and the total scores from Auditory Comprehension (AC) component of the Western Aphasia Battery–Revised (WAB–R; Kertesz, 2007). Significant positive correlations between the time window with maximum mean PFDT and WAB–R AC score were found for all MCTAC subtests except for Subtest 8. In addition, variations of mean PFDT patterns across time windows were observed based on individual data from both groups. In conclusion, observation of PFDT across time windows with progressively longer durations revealed that current procedures entail adequate timing to index language comprehension among individuals with and without aphasia. Case-by-case data analyses should also be conducted to address individual variations, especially among people with aphasia.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Speech-Language Pathology (Health Sciences and Professions)

Grantor dc:publisher

Ohio University

Year dc:date

2012

Author dc:creator

• Hassan, Fatimah Hani B.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Hallowell, Brooke

• Speech Therapy
• time windows
• language comprehension
• aphasia
• eye tracking

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1352997697

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:ohiou1352997697