Auditory processing disorder and auditory/language interventions: an evidence-based systematic review.

PURPOSE: In this systematic review, the peer-reviewed literature on the efficacy of interventions for school-age children with auditory processing disorder (APD) is critically evaluated. METHOD: Searches of 28 electronic databases yielded 25 studies for analysis. These studies were categorized by research phase (e.g., exploratory, efficacy) and ranked on a standard set of quality features related to methodology and reporting. RESULTS: Some support exists for the claim that auditory and language interventions can improve auditory functioning in children with APD and those with primary spoken language disorder. There is little indication, however, that observed improvements are due to the auditory features of these programs. Similarly, evidence supporting the effects of these programs on spoken and written language functioning is limited. CONCLUSION: The evidence base is too small and weak to provide clear guidance to speech-language pathologists faced with treating children with diagnosed APD, but some cautious skepticism is warranted until the record of evidence is more complete. Clinicians who decide to use auditory interventions should be aware of the limitations in the evidence and take special care to monitor the spoken and written language status of their young clients.

Reductions in 'Ross Information Processing Test-Geriatric' information processing and 'A Quick Test of Cognitive Speed' processing speed in Alzheimer's disease: which lead and which follow?

Our objective was to obtain preliminary evidence for an order of emergence of measurable reductions in cognitive-linguistic abilities and processing/naming speed. A total of 22 patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) or mild cognitive impairment and 22 age- and sex-matched controls participated. Ross Information Processing Test-Geriatric (RIPA-G) evaluated functional information processing and A Quick Test of Cognitive Speed (AQT) measured naming speed (s) for familiar single-dimension (e.g. colors, forms) and dual-dimension (e.g. color-form combinations) visual stimuli. Patient age was not a significant factor. Means for RIPA-G information processing were in the normal range. AQT means for most perceptual-speed (e.g. form naming) and all cognitive-speed measures (e.g. color-form naming) were in the atypical/pathological range. Correlations between information processing and processing speed were moderate, negative and mostly nonsignificant. RIPA-G memory and organization identified that about a third of patients performed below the normal range. AQT dual-dimension naming identified that all 19 patients with mild-to-moderate AD performed in the atypical range (i.e. slower than +2 SD of the mean). The findings provide preliminary evidence that reductions in perceptual and cognitive speed precede reductions in cognitive-linguistic abilities and functional information processing in mild-to-moderate AD. AQT can assess short-term changes in cognitive functioning and monitor intervention. RIPA-G can provide broad-based functional measures at baseline and over the longer term. The combined use of AQT and RIPA-G can provide health professionals with broadly based clinical information, relevant for making team-based rehabilitation, living and other decisions for patients with AD.