Better tests of how people with aphasia pay attention to sounds
Optimizing the assessment of auditory attention in aphasia
This project uses a short hearing-based attention test to help tailor therapy for people with aphasia after stroke.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Purdue University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Lafayette, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11251312 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have aphasia, the team will give a quick, 5–10 minute hearing-based attention task that measures different kinds of attention (alerting, orienting, and executive control). They plan to adapt the Attention Network Test so it works with sounds rather than visuals and is usable for people with language problems. The researchers will compare how well the hearing version detects attention problems that matter for recovery and treatment response. The goal is to make a practical tool clinicians can use to spot attention issues that might affect your language therapy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with aphasia (typically after left-hemisphere stroke) who can follow simple task instructions and have sufficient hearing to complete brief auditory tests.
Not a fit: People without aphasia, those with severe uncorrected hearing loss, or individuals too medically or cognitively unstable to complete in-person testing may not benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help therapists identify hearing-focused attention problems and personalize language rehabilitation to improve recovery.
How similar studies have performed: Related tests (the visual Attention Network Test) have been used widely and attention measures predict aphasia outcomes, but adapting the ANT for auditory attention in aphasia is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
West Lafayette, United States
- Purdue University — West Lafayette, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lacroix, Arianna — Purdue University
- Study coordinator: Lacroix, Arianna
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.