From the Guidelines
Conceptual apraxia is a condition where individuals have difficulty understanding the purpose or function of objects, despite having intact sensory perception, and an example would be a patient who cannot demonstrate or explain the use of a toothbrush, such as attempting to comb their hair with it or being unable to determine its purpose. This condition is characterized by impairments in conceptual reasoning, which includes abilities such as problem solving and judgment in novel situations 1. According to the practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents with intellectual disability, conceptual reasoning is one of the three domains that determine individuals' effectiveness in functioning with everyday tasks at the level expected for their age and sociocultural background 1.
Some key features of conceptual apraxia include:
- Difficulty understanding the purpose or function of objects
- Intact sensory perception, but impaired ability to demonstrate or explain object use
- Often results from damage to the left parietal lobe of the brain, due to stroke, traumatic brain injury, or neurodegenerative diseases
- Treatment typically involves occupational therapy focusing on relearning object functions through repetitive demonstration and practice 1.
It is essential to note that conceptual apraxia affects the understanding of object function and purpose, unlike other forms of apraxia, such as ideomotor apraxia or ideational apraxia, which affect motor actions or sequential tasks, respectively. Early intervention is crucial in improving functional independence in daily activities, and occupational therapy can significantly help in rebuilding these conceptual associations 1.
From the Research
Definition and Types of Apraxia
- Apraxia is a cognitive-motor disorder that impacts the performance of learned, skilled movements 2.
- There are different forms of apraxia, including ideational apraxia, conceptual apraxia, ideomotor apraxia, dissociation apraxia, and limb-kinetic apraxia 3.
Conceptual Apraxia
- Conceptual apraxia is a loss of mechanical tool knowledge, which means that individuals with this condition have difficulty using tools and objects due to a lack of understanding of their function and purpose 3.
- This type of apraxia is related to the conceptual system, which is responsible for action knowledge, and its dysfunction can lead to difficulties in using tools and performing daily activities 2.
Examples of Conceptual Apraxia
- Difficulty using scissors or other tools due to a lack of understanding of their mechanical properties and function 2.
- Inability to perform tasks that require the use of tools, such as cooking or cleaning, due to a lack of knowledge about how to use the tools effectively 4.
Treatment and Rehabilitation
- Strategy training is a promising intervention for apraxia, which involves teaching individuals compensatory strategies to perform daily activities and use tools effectively 4, 5.
- Other treatment approaches, such as errorless learning, gesture training, and strategy training, have also been reported to be effective in improving occupational performance outcomes in individuals with apraxia 6.