ABSTRACT Mirror neurons that have properties of audio/visual-acuity play a key role in imitation of movement performance. Since speech is a collection of coordinated movements in the producing organs, observing and imitation of speech movements can stimulate these neurons. In addition, observing hand movements trigger some actions related to the verbal cortex in the network of mirror neurons. According to the hypothesis of mirror neurons, new therapeutic approaches, including IMITATE, have been proposed for patients with aphasia. In the present study, using the IMITATE programme, a new therapeutic approach called IMITATE-R was planned based on observation of oral movements, hand gestures, and imitation of oral movements. Afterward, the IMITATE and IMITATE-R methods were compared with each other on naming skills of two Persian people with aphasia. The results showed that the rate of benefit from each treatment in each client was proportional to its individual and linguistic characteristics; however, in both patients, the IMITATE-R method was more effective in improving the naming skill. The results of this study were aimed at confirming the hypothesis of mirror neurons and the use of methods are based on action-observation for the treatment of patients with aphasia.

中文翻译：

---

IMITATE-R的介绍及其与IMITATE治疗方法在两名波斯语失语症患者命名能力方面的比较

摘要 具有视听敏锐度特性的镜像神经元在模仿运动表现中起着关键作用。由于言语是产生器官协调运动的集合，观察和模仿言语运动可以刺激这些神经元。此外，观察手部运动会触发一些与镜像神经元网络中的语言皮层相关的动作。根据镜像神经元的假设，已经为失语症患者提出了新的治疗方法，包括 IMITATE。在本研究中，使用 IMITATE 程序，基于对口腔运动、手势和模仿口腔运动的观察，计划了一种称为 IMITATE-R 的新治疗方法。随后，将IMITATE和IMITATE-R方法对两个波斯失语症患者的命名技巧进行了相互比较。结果表明，每个客户的每种治疗的受益率与其个体和语言特征成正比；然而，在这两个患者中，IMITATE-R 方法在提高命名技巧方面更有效。本研究的结果旨在证实镜像神经元的假设，方法的使用基于行动观察来治疗失语症患者。