The Japanese journal of neuropsychology

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ArticleTitle	Auditory comprehension and working memory in aphasia -Comparison with listening span test-
Language	J
AuthorList	Takako Yoshimura¹⁾, Mariko Osaka²⁾, Shinichiro Maeshima³⁾
Affiliation	1) Department of Speech Therapy, Osaka College of Medical & Welfare 2) Osaka University of Foreign Studies 3) Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare
Publication	Japanese Journal of Neuropsychology: 21 (1), 58-65, 2005
Received	Apr 13, 2004
Accepted	Sep 21, 2004
Abstract	We measured Working Memory (WM) capacity of 19 aphasic clients by revised Listening Span Test (LST), and investigated the correlations between each task and its efficiency in clinical situations. We divided clients into two groups; good comprehension group and poor one and found that each correlation pattern was different. It is not always possible to measure WM capacity of aphasic clients because severer aphasic clients have deficits other than the reduction of WM capacity. Furthermore it may be necessary to prepare extra tasks, such as a right-wrong task, during carrying out LST in order to confirm whether or not clients execute 'processing and retention' in parallel to precisely measure WM capacity. Based on this, LST would be efficiently used for therapy to improve clients' comprehensions in connection with WM capacity.
Keywords	working memory capacity, Listening Span Test, auditory comprehension, aphasia