THE STUDY THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS OF THE BRAIN AND LANGUAGE PERFORMANCES IN PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM APHASIA
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Abstract
Introduction: In patients with aphasia, aside from impairments in language functions, deficits in non-linguistic cognitive skills may also affect their potential success in aphasia treatment. Therefore, the current study was conducted to determine the relationship between executive functions of the brain and language performances in patients suffering from aphasia.
Method: The research method employed was descriptive correlation. The Statistical population consisted of patients with aphasia referred to the Speech Therapy Unit at Razi Educational, Research, and Treatment Center in Tabriz in the year 2023. A sample of 50 participants was selected using purposive sampling method. In order to collect data, the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (2001) questionnaire and the Persian Aphasia Battery Test developed by Nilipour et al. (2016) were employed. Data analysis was conducted using the Pearson correlation coefficient method with SPSS version 24.
Findings: The findings revealed a significant and positive correlation between executive functions of the brain, including mental flexibility, problem-solving, verbal fluency, working memory, reasoning, and inhibitory control, with language performances such as oral expression, listening comprehension, reading, and writing (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the highest correlation was found between inhibitory control function and listening comprehension skill (r = 0.51), while the lowest correlation was observed between working memory function and writing skill (r = 0.24).
Conclusion: Based on the findings of the study, it appears that executive functions are involved in linguistic representations, suggesting that attention to cognition alongside language is recommended in the process of aphasia patient treatment.
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