Research: Effects of the SpeechEasy on Objective and Perceived Aspects of Stutte

[Guest guest]

We had looked at this for apraxia with the inventor back when it first came out

as there are quite a few apraxic children who go through the stuttering stage

for a bit. Very exciting research!

Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research Vol.52 516-533 April 2009.

doi:10.1044/1092-4388(2008/07-0204)

© American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Effects of the SpeechEasy on Objective and Perceived Aspects of Stuttering: A

6-Month, Phase I Clinical Trial in Naturalistic Environments

Pollard

B. Ellis

Don Finan

R. Ramig

University of Colorado at Boulder

Contact author: Pollard, University of Colorado at Boulder, 409 UCB,

Boulder, CO 80309. E-mail: ryan.pollard@....

Purpose: Effects of the SpeechEasy when used under extraclinical conditions over

several months were investigated. Primary purposes were to help establish Phase

I level information about the therapeutic utility of the SpeechEasy and to

compare those results with previous findings obtained in laboratory and clinical

settings.

Method: Eleven adults who stutter participated. A nonrandomized ABA group design

was utilized. Speech samples were collected every 2 weeks in extraclinical

environments. Qualitative data were collected through weekly written logs and an

exit questionnaire.

Results: Group analyses revealed a statistically significant effect of the

SpeechEasy immediately postfitting but no treatment effect across 4 months'

time. Individual responses varied greatly with regard to stuttering frequency

and subjective impressions. Relatively more stuttering reduction occurred during

oral reading than during formulated speech.

Conclusions: Based on this protocol, Phase II trials are not indicated. However,

positive individual responses and self-reports suggest some clinical utility for

the SpeechEasy. The use of more challenging sampling procedures strengthened

external validity and captured more modest altered auditory feedback effects

compared with those previously reported in laboratory settings. Device use

coincided more so with positive subjective impressions than with measurable

fluency improvement, highlighting challenges facing clinicians when implementing

principles of evidence-based practice, including client-based preferences.

KEY WORDS: stuttering, treatment, prosthetic devices, clinical trials, treatment

outcomes

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