Collaborative Referencing Intervention (CRI) in Aphasia: A Replication and Extension of the Phase II Efficacy Study.

Purpose: A Phase II study on collaborative referencing intervention (CRI) documented significant positive treatment effects on a traditional confrontation naming measure in four participants with aphasia (PWAs). We replicated the 2021 study and extended it by studying the treatment effect on dyadic conversations and perceptions of communication confidence.

Method: Three PWAs participated in this multiple-probe, single-case experimental study composed of (a) three preparatory sessions, (b) five baseline sessions, (c) 15 CRI sessions with five treatment probes, and (d) five maintenance sessions. The dependent variables included a collaborative confrontation naming (CCN) probe, the Communication Confidence Rating Scale for Aphasia (CCRSA; Babbitt et al., 2011), and 10-min conversations each with clinician and a communication partner. Each CRI session (i.e., independent variable) consisted of a photo-matching game with the participant and clinician taking alternative turns identifying and matching personally relevant treatment cards. CCN probes were scored using a multidimensional rating scale. Analyses of correct information units_conv (CIU_conv), trouble sources, and repairs were conducted on the conversations across the study. The CCRSA scores were also analyzed across the study.

Results: Multiple-probe analysis revealed significant positive treatment effects on (a) confrontation naming (consistent with the previous study), (b) conversations (on trouble sources and repairs with clinician only, with no significant changes in CIU_conv across partners), and (c) perceived communication confidence across participants.

Conclusions: CRI emerges as a promising intervention for individuals with aphasia with potential impacts on conversations and perceived communication confidence. Future research endeavors will further augment our understanding and evidence base regarding this treatment.