Telemedicine Speech Therapy Works Well

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AAP Grand Rounds 24:37 (2010)

© 2010 American Academy of Pediatrics

TELEHEALTH CARE

Telemedicine Speech Therapy Works Well

Question: Among students 4 through 12 years of age, what is the outcome of

speech/language therapy provided by telemedicine as compared to conventional

on-site speech/language therapy?

Question type: Intervention

Study design: Randomized controlled crossover trial

Researchers from Kent State University and the University of Cincinnati

recruited students ages 4 through 12 to participate in a randomized controlled

crossover trial of speech language therapy delivered by telemedicine and by

conventional on-site therapy. Students were enrolled in the study if they had a

current Individualized Education Plan (IEP) recommending speech and language

therapy. During the eight months of the study, students were randomized to

receive their first four months of therapy via either telemedicine or

conventional on-site therapy. During the second four months of therapy

participants switched to the other form of therapy. Speech language pathologists

(SLP) provided all . . . [Full Text of this Article]

L. Burke, Jr, MD, FAAP

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children’s Hospital,

Little Rock, AR