The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships of four intensities of tactile-thermal application (TTA) to changes in duration of stage transition (DST) and performance on a newly designed scale of penetration and aspiration by groups of patients made dysphagic by stroke. Patients were randomly assigned to receive 150, 300, 450, or 600 trials of TTA during each of 2 weeks. Data on the time required to provide such treatment, the actual number of trials clinicians were able to provide, and on the influence of the four intensities are provided. No single intensity emerged as the most therapeutic. It is suggested that subsequent studies with larger groups include intensities between 300 and 550.

No abstract

A left-right discrimination test (LRDT) was developed to measure children's ability to discriminate between the words “left” and “right.” A description is given of previous studies in left-right awareness and/or confusion; many of these studies appear to be influenced by the lack of normative data relative to development of left-right discrimination. The procedures employed in developing the LRDT are specified. Item analysis, reliability, and validity studies with the LRDT are discussed. A trend analysis of errors found a significant linear component ( p < .0001), suggesting continued growth in left-right discrimination ability from 5 yr. through age 10, with the 10-yr.-old making only chance left-right errors. Standard scores are presented for left-right discrimination ability for children ages 5 through 10 yr.

Utilization of microcomputers for treatment of the aphasic adult, while very seductive, continues to be in need of efficacy research. Data based research regarding the use of microcomputers as a viable treatment medium should describe: for whom is this type of treatment appropriate; what specific type of microcomputer treatment software is applicable; when should treatment begin and end; and where can treatment be accomplished? Yet, data based research in aphasiology concerning treatment efficacy remains sparse. This research explores which of two delivery systems, clinician and clinician/assisted micromputer, is more effective in bringmg aphasic patients to a criterion performance. Using an alternating treatment design with multiple internal and external generization probes, 20 aphasic patients were studied. Data for the first 10 patients indicate certain aphasia types and severity levels demonstrated that the clinician was the more effective and efficient delivery system for both fluent and non-fluent aphasic patients in the moderate to marked ranges of severity. This paper will focus on clinical issues regarding the treatment program we utilized different treatment delivery stystems, treatment generalization, aphasia treatment generalization by aphasia type, and future research trends in using microcomputers with this population of patients.

This study measured the temperature acceleration of a cold probe as it contacts human tissue. Both the effects of touching a cold probe to the oral cavity were investigated. The results indicated a rapid warming pattern. This warming is effected first by temperature changes resulting from the probe being moved from ice into room temperature and second by the contact to oral mucosa. In fact, in some cases, the probe had reached minimal cold sensation levels by the time it reached the oral cavity. Results also indicated that 6 sec after the probe is lifted from the ice, the temperature closely approximates temperatures perceived as warm or at least neutral, but not cold.