Cues on request: The efficacy of Multicue,a computer program for wordfinding therapy

Background: Semantic and word form cues have been shown to have long‐term effects on naming in aphasia. Multicue is a computer program that offers a variety of cues for improving word finding. It stimulates the users' independence by encouraging them to discover themselves which cues are most helpful. Aims: We investigated the effects of Multicue on naming and verbal communication. Methods & Procedures: A total of 18 individuals with aphasia caused by stroke, who had completed intensive impairment‐oriented treatment, were randomised to 10–11 hours of Multicue (n = 8) or no treatment (n = 10). Outcomes & Results: Only the Multicue group improved on the Boston Naming Test. However, mean improvement did not differ significantly between the treated and untreated groups, neither for the BNT (95% CI: ?4.5 to 26.1), nor for the ANELT‐A (95% CI: ?2.4 to 9.4). Conclusions: In the chronic phase of aphasia, following impairment‐oriented treatment, Multicue may have a beneficial effect on word finding in picture naming, but not on verbal communication. The effect of Multicue may be the result either of self‐cueing or of improved access. The lack of generalisation to verbal communication is discussed.