Effect of picture naming training on naming ability of patients with semantic dementia: a preliminary study

Abstract

Objective To explore the feasibility of picture naming training in improving naming ability of patients with semantic dementia (SD). Methods A total of 14 cases of semantic dementia whose the first symptom was semantic memory impairment were given picture naming training 30 min/time, twice a day, for 5 d from October 2018 to December 2020 at Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University. One day before and one day after the end of training, Picture Naming Test and Boston Naming Test (BNT) were used to evaluate the naming ability. Results After training, Picture Naming Test score (65.79 ± 34.54 vs. 49.79 ± 30.85; t = ⁃ 3.297, P = 0.001) and BNT score [6.50 (4.75, 14.00) vs. 5.00 (3.00, 11.50); Z = ⁃ 2.007, P = 0.045] were higher than before training. Conclusions Picture naming training can effectively improve the naming ability of patients with semantic dementia.

Keywords

• aphasia
• primary progressive
• frontotemporal lobar degeneration
• language therapy