Using free software to help Spanish speakers with aphasia learn everyday sentences.

What is it about?

Purpose: Spanish speakers with aphasia need treatments that are supported by research and easy to access. Script training is a therapy that helps people with aphasia practice and learn sentences used in daily life; however, most research to date has focused on English speakers. In this study, we tested whether a script‑training program delivered through open‑source software would be acceptable, easy to use, and helpful for Spanish speakers with aphasia. Method: Six Spanish-speaking adults with aphasia took part in the study. Each person began therapy at a different time, allowing us to compare pre- and post-treatment changes. We asked participants how satisfied they were with the program and how easy it was to use, and we also measured the number of sentences they learned from a set of 45 everyday sentences. The treatment lasted six weeks and included both live sessions and independent practice. Results: On average, participants reported that the program was acceptable and easy to use. The statistical analysis provided strong evidence that the treatment helped participants learn sentences. On average, participants learned 31 sentences, with individual gains ranging from 21 to 42 out of the 45 sentences trained.

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