Complex oral semantic verbal fluency in non-brain-damaged adults and individuals with multiple sclerosis and subjective anomia

Abstract

Background: Many neurologic conditions, for example multiple sclerosis (MS), are associated with subtle communication and language difficulties. To detect such difficulties, there is a need for valid and reliable methods. While standard aphasia test batteries have been found insufficient, more complex language tasks are believed to be able to distinguish more subtle language difficulties from normal variation in communicative ability. Aims: The aim of this study was to: (1) explore the influence of demographic variables on the results of a novel complex oral semantic fluency task with multiple restrictions in non-braindamaged (NBD) adults, (2) investigate the construct validity and reliability of the method, and (3) compare the results of NBD individuals and individuals with MS. Method and procedure: One hundred and ten NBD individuals performed the complex task and three standard fluency tasks with single restrictions. Regression analyses were run to assess the influence of demographic factors. Furthermore, 16 individuals with MS and subjective anomia performed the complex task and the results were compared with those for a matched group of NBD individuals. Outcome and results: Age and education influenced the NBD individuals' scores on the complex task. The NBD individuals' results on the complex task correlated with those on the three standard fluency tasks. Furthermore, the subgroup of 16 pair-matched NBD individuals produced statistically significantly more adequate responses in the complex task than the group of individuals with MS. However, on an individual level some of the participants with MS performed at level with, or even better than the pair-matched NBD individuals. Provision of scoring guidelines yielded high interrater-reliability. Conclusions: The results illustrate the challenge in attempts to provide formal measures of subtle language disorders. Still, the complex task is a promising assessment tool which may be a complement to existing standard word fluency tasks, although future studies are required to establish the validity and ability to detect subtle language difficulties in different clinical groups.

Evaluation of treatment effects of semantic feature analysis on mild anomia in multiple sclerosis

“…As can be seen in Figure 6, verbal-fluency scores increased slightly throughout the study, starting during the baseline phase for P2. P1 reached the Swedish norms for COSEF (19.46 ± 5.55) (Bauer & Saldert, 2020) but not those for FAS (47.1 ± 13.3), Animals (Baylor et al, 2013). b Higher ratings correspond to a less negative impact on communicative participation (Baylor et al, 2013).…”

“…The fluency tasks were administered and scored in accordance with Tallberg et al (2008). The complex oral semantic fluency task (COSEF) was administered and scored in accordance with Bauer and Saldert (2020), meaning that the participants were asked to name as many words as possible that share two different features (round and flat, and sharp and long) in two minutes each. Further, the participants were asked to estimate how often they experienced word-finding difficulties on an 8-point scale, where 0 = Not at all; 1 = Less than once a week; 2 = At least once a week; 3 = At least three times a week; 4 = At least five times a week; 5 = At least once a day; 6 = Several times a day; and 7 = Every time I try to say something.…”

“…c From the Boston Naming Test (BNT) (Kaplan et al, 1983), digital pictures courtesy of Pro-Ed. d Complex oral semantic fluency task, COSEF (Bauer & Saldert, 2020). e Occurrence of anomia scale ranging from 0 = "Not at all" to 7 = "Every time I try to say something".…”

“…They are considered to be reliable, sensitive, easily administered and quick neuropsychological assessment tools, and they sometimes -though not always and not fully -distinguish individuals with MS from healthy controls (Henry & Beatty, 2006;Vlaar & Wade, 2003). However, other, more complex tasks may be more sensitive in revealing subtle language difficulties, including those measuring verbal fluency with multiple semantic constraints (for example, requiring words to combine two specified features, such as "square and hard") (Bauer & Saldert, 2020). Further, the analysis of connected speech may yield more information about language performance than tasks demanding only single-word responses (Fergadiotis & Wright, 2016).…”

Word‐finding difficulties in Parkinson's disease: Complex verbal fluency, executive functions and other influencing factors

“…The reason for this could be that many of the established language assessment tools do not include tasks sensitive to higher level language functions, or more complex tasks, taxing the interface of language and other cognitive functions. Bauer and Saldert (2020) suggested that a COWAT that is more cognitively demanding than standard COWATs may be helpful in detecting subtle language difficulties seen in a variety of neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis and PD. They developed a novel fluency test, the complex oral semantic fluency (COSEF) task, based on the theories of divergent thinking as discussed by Guilford and Hoepfner (1971).…”