Melodic intonation therapy in the verbal decoding of aphasics.

Abstract

Melodic Intonation Therapy is a well-known method exploring the verbal encoding of aphasics but within this study, it was used to investigate the verbal decoding (the auditory comprehension). Two separate groups, 240 cases each, were investigated, the former with MIT and the latter with other therapy methods. Each group included three subgroups according to the three frequent types of aphasia (Wernicke, Broca and Anomia). The method of semantic fields was associated to treat the second group since it is usually used in the treatment of aphasics with auditory decoding disturbances. All patients were tested twice, before and after therapy.