Dose considerations and script training in aphasia (Cherney et al., 2026)

The primary generalization outcome measured performance on the trained script in a simulated conversation with a familiar speech-language pathologist posttreatment. Secondary outcomes included evaluating (a) maintenance of the primary outcome at 3 and 6 weeks posttreatment and (b) generalization of the trained script content to an unstructured conversation with an unfamiliar, naive partner at baseline, posttreatment, and 6 weeks posttreatment.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Results: </b>Eighty-five participants with aphasia enrolled in the study.

There was no significant difference between groups from baseline to posttreatment and follow-up for stimulus repetition, but there was a significant difference for session frequency with massed performing better than distributed. Factor interactions over time indicated that long scripts showed greater improvements with distributed versus massed session frequency, whereas short scripts were better maintained than long scripts at 6-week follow-up.

Within groups, there was significant improvement from baseline to posttreatment, which was generally maintained at 6 weeks posttreatment.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Conclusions: </b>Results provide further evidence supporting the efficacy of script training. Dose parameters such as session frequency and stimulus repetition may impact the maintenance and generalization of treatment and should be considered when delivering this and other aphasia treatments.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Supplemental Material S1. </b>Pre- and post-treatment assessment results.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Supplemental Material S2. </b>Semantic and grammatical complexity across scripts and script levels.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Supplemental Material S3. </b>Model parameter estimates and standard errors on logit scale for primary outcome models: Script targets produced/possible script targets<i>.</i></p><p dir="ltr"><b>Supplemental Material S4</b>.

Model parameter estimates and standard errors on logit scale for secondary outcome models: Script targets produced/possible script targets (maintenance).</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Supplemental Material S5. </b>Model parameter estimates and standard errors on logit scale for essential information units (baseline to post-treatment).</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Supplemental Material S6. </b>Model parameter estimates and standard errors on logit scale for elaborative information units (baseline to post-treatment).</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Supplemental Material S7. </b>Model parameter estimates and standard errors on logit scale for essential information units (baseline to 6-week follow up).</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Supplemental Material S8. </b>Model parameter estimates and standard errors on logit scale for elaborative information units (baseline to 6-week follow up).</p><p dir="ltr">Cherney, L. R., Kinsey, L. E., Blaze, E. E., Gray, E. L., Kwasny, M. J., & Van Vuuren, S. (2026).

Dose considerations and generalization following script training for poststroke aphasia: A randomized factorial clinical trial. <i>J</i><i>ournal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research</i>. Advance online publication. <a href="doi.org/10.1044/2026_JSLHR-26-00120" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">doi.org/10.1044/2026_JSLHR-26-00120</a></p>