A Pilot Study of Adapting and Assessing an Online Aphasia Therapy Software for Turkish Speakers: The Influence of Variables on Naming Accuracy

What is already known on this subject Digital aphasia therapy tools exist in various languages, providing structured activities to support individuals with aphasia. The effectiveness of these tools depends on linguistic and cultural appropriateness which influences their usability and accuracy in therapy. Word frequency, education level and cognitive abilities impact naming accuracy in both healthy individuals and those with aphasia. Existing studies suggest that high-frequency words are recalled more easily while factors such as socioeconomic background and cognitive reserve influence language performance. What this paper adds to the existing knowledge This study adapted and culturally customised Aphasia Therapy Online for Turkish speakers, ensuring its suitability for the linguistic and cultural characteristics of the population. A pilot study with ten healthy individuals demonstrated that accuracy rates varied based on word frequency, confirming that high-frequency words were named more easily than medium- and low-frequency words. Alternative culturally appropriate words were integrated into the software, improving its applicability for Turkish users. A survey of speech and language therapists highlighted the software's usability and potential for home practice, supporting its integration into clinical workflows. It is also the first paper related to the software. What are the potential or actual clinical implications for this work? The findings emphasise the importance of culturally adapting digital therapy tools to improve their effectiveness in diverse populations. Turkish speech and language therapists can use Aphasia Therapy Online as a complementary tool to extend therapy dosage and enhance engagement. The integration of alternative culturally relevant words and real photographs ensures that the software is more accessible and effective for Turkish speakers with aphasia. Given the significant impact of education level on task performance, customising therapy tasks based on cognitive reserve and linguistic background is recommended for optimal outcomes.