Date of Award
Spring 2026
Degree Type
Thesis
Department
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Director of Thesis
William Matchin
Second Reader
Sigfus Kristinsson
Abstract
Main Concept Analysis is a discourse-based measure that captures the essential information conveyed during narrative speech and may serve as a functional indicator of communication ability in aphasia. This study will examine whether Main Concept composite scores derived from the Cinderella narrative task are associated with aphasia severity and identify the linguistic and cognitive factors that influence Main Concept performance. Participants will be drawn from the baseline cohort of the POLAR study and will include approximately 100 individuals with chronic post-stroke aphasia. Baseline measures include Western Aphasia Battery Aphasia Quotient, Pyramids and Palm Trees Test, Philadelphia Repetition Test, and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Matrix Reasoning. Correlational and multiple regression analyses will evaluate whether Main Concept performance predicts aphasia severity and determine the relative contributions of semantic, phonological, and cognitive factors. Findings will support the clinical utility of Main Concept Analysis as an ecologically valid tool for assessment and individualized intervention planning in aphasia rehabilitation.
First Page
1
Last Page
38
Recommended Citation
Ganguru, Chathurvedi, "Main Concept Analysis as a Predictor of Aphasia Severity: Semantic, Phonological, and Executive Influences on Main Concept Performance" (2026). Senior Theses. 882.
https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/senior_theses/882
Rights
© 2026, Chathurvedi Ganguru