Semantic Feature Analysis

Table of Contents

Introduction

Theoretical Framework

Clinical Demonstration

Test Your Knowledge

Questions

Introduction

●Semantic Feature Analysis is a therapy technique that focuses on the meaning-based properties of nouns.

●It is used to improve naming and expressive language skills of individuals with aphasia. SFA activates semantic

networks (Maddy, et al. 2014)

●A study by Boyle, 2010 have shown positive results using SFA with anomic, conduction, Wernicke’s, Broca’s and

transcortical motor types of aphasia, with mild to moderate severity

●This technique was first introduced by Ylvisaker and Szekeres, and later developed by Massaro and Tompkins

(Maddy, et al. 2014)

Theoretical Framework

●Systematic Cueing Technique

○Individual is given a word, let’s say ‘dog”, and asked to answer questions related to:

■The dog’s use/function/purpose

■Properties of the dog

■Where dogs might be useful or seen

■What category dogs belong to

■What might be associated with a dog

The idea is that anomia results from an impaired semantic network - meaning the goal of therapy is to alter the semantic network

connectivity by recovering the damaged network (Maddy et al., 2014).

Semantic Feature Analysis has been compared to Phonomotor in other studies, and while both are supported to be effective, Kendall et al.
(2019) saw a significant decrease in response time for SFA patients - meaning that in the study SFA patients post-treatment were able to
list connections and answer questions in relation to an untrained noun in a shorter amount of time.

Semantic Feature Analysis Chart - Example

Clinical Demonstration

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05i3JQZ1zu4

Questions?

Resources

Boyle M. (2010). Semantic feature analysis treatment for aphasic word retrieval impairments: what's in a name?. Topics in stroke

rehabilitation, 17(6), 411–422. https://doi.org/10.1310/tsr1706-411

Kendall, Moldestad, M. O., Allen, W., Torrence, J., & Nadeau, S. E. (2019). Phonomotor versus semantic feature analysis treatment for anomia in 58 persons with aphasia: A

randomized controlled trial. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 62(12), 4464–4482. https://doi.org/10.1044/2019_JSLHR-L-18-0257

Maddy, K. M., Capilouto, G. J., & McComas, K. L. (2014). The effectiveness of semantic feature analysis: an evidence-based

systematic review. Annals of physical and rehabilitation medicine, 57(4), 254–267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rehab.2014.03.002