Phonological Components Analysis

SKILL: Talking

DIFFICULTY: 2/5

LEVELS: N/A

BRIEF RATIONALE: This treatment improves word retrieval by analyzing the word's phonological components.

In Phonological Components Analysis, you will see a picture of a noun and a question prompt. Use the audio button to replay the text at the top of the screen at any time. You will see 6 buttons at the bottom of the screen, each with its own question prompt:

FIRST SOUND: What sound does it start with?
SAME START: What other words start with the same sound?
FINAL SOUND: What sound does it end with?
RHYME: What does this rhyme with?
SYLLABLES: How many beats does the word have?
NAME: What is this called?

CHECK: A check button is available for each feature, providing an example response and self-scoring buttons. The red button indicates incorrect, the orange button indicates correct with support, and the green button indicates correct without assistance.

FOR THE CLINICIAN: Phonological Components Analysis (PCA) is an evidence-based treatment for anomia that facilitates word retrieval by strengthening access to the phonological representations of target words. This treatment is based on the same principles as Semantic Feature Analysis. Making active choices about the phonological components of words can lead to prolonged treatment effects, regardless of whether the deficits are semantic or phonological.

Selected References:

Haentjens, K., & Auclair-Ouellet, N. (2021). Naming gains and within-intervention progression following semantic feature analysis (SFA) and phonological components analysis (PCA) in adults with chronic post-stroke aphasia. Aphasiology, 35(8), 1024-1047.
Marcotte, K., Laird, L., Bitan, T., Meltzer, J. A., Graham, S. J., Leonard, C., & Rochon, E. (2018). Therapy-induced neuroplasticity in chronic aphasia after phonological component analysis: A matter of intensity. Frontiers in Neurology, 9, 225.
Simic, T., Leonard, C., Laird, L., Stewart, S., & Rochon, E. (2021). The effects of intensity on a phonological treatment for anomia in post-stroke aphasia. Journal of Communication Disorders, 93, 106125.