Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

1996

Thesis Director

Richard Jacques

Abstract

The present study was designed to examine two questions related to speech output in the elderly population: 1) Does a regimen of touch massage therapy increase speech output as measured by confrontational naming performance on the Boston Naming Test in elderly persons residing in nursing homes or living alone in relatively non-stimulating communication environments, and 2) Is touch/massage therapy a useful method in establishing rapport between an elderly client and the clinician subsequently motivating the client to increase their desire to communicate.

A total of ten subjects were selected to participate in the study. Eight were residents of nursing homes, and two were elderly widows living alone. Each subject passed an evaluation for language and cognitive related functions, hearing acuity, and visual perception skills. To answer the first question, the study used an ABAB design and compared raw scores under two treatment conditions. To obtain answers to the second part of the study, each subject responded subjectively to a list of eleven items.

Although there was some evidence of improved performance in three subjects following the touch/massage therapy, the results of the treatments did not show any clear pattern of improving the confrontational naming performances of the subjects as a whole. However, the results of the subjective responses obtained from each subject indicated a positive emotional and motivational effect of the treatments. Possible clinical implications and suggestions for further research are presented.

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