# Intention Treatment for Anomia: Investigating Dose Frequency Effects and Predictors ofTreatment Response to Improve Efficacy and Clinical Translation

> **NIH VA I01** · VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION · 2024 · —

## Abstract

Difficulty retrieving words is one of the most common language complaints in individuals with stroke-
induced aphasia. The negative consequences related to word retrieval impairment include increased health
care costs and decreased quality of life. A variety of treatment approaches exist to improve word retrieval, and
most of the treatments result in immediate improvement on trained words. However, long-term improvement
and improvement on untrained words or behaviors is less common. Additionally, we currently know very little
about optimal treatment administration parameters and we know even less about predictors of treatment
response. Our current healthcare system is not resourced to provide ongoing treatment for individuals with
chronic aphasia. To make the best use of the clinical resources available for aphasia treatment, and to
maximize outcomes for Veterans with aphasia, we must: 1) develop clinically translatable treatments that yield
widespread and lasting effects and 2) develop clinically accessible ways of identifying who will acquire benefit
from a specific treatment approach. The proposed study in this Merit Review Application takes on these two
challenges by investigating dose frequency (massed vs. distributed practice) effects and identifying the
language, cognitive and neural predictors of response to Intention treatment (INT), a novel word retrieval
treatment. Our preliminary studies provide strong support for the proposed study, which we expect will
increase the efficacy, clinical translatability, and potential for use of INT as an adjuvant to other word retrieval
treatments. From a broader perspective, our results will help guide selection of the right treatment for the right
Veteran. This work has direct implications for clinical practice in aphasia rehabilitation and has the potential to
make a significant positive impact on the VA Healthcare System and on Veterans living with aphasia.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10834875
- **Project number:** 5I01RX003093-05
- **Recipient organization:** VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
- **Principal Investigator:** Amy D Rodriguez
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-04-01 → 2025-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10834875

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10834875, Intention Treatment for Anomia: Investigating Dose Frequency Effects and Predictors ofTreatment Response to Improve Efficacy and Clinical Translation (5I01RX003093-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10834875. Licensed CC0.

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