Motor-Based Speech Treatment for Speech Sound Disorder

(SPLITS-S Trial)

Overseen By Speech Production Laboratory

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Syracuse University

Disqualifiers: Hearing loss, Neurodevelopmental diagnosis, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 38

Duration: 8 weeks

24 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores a new method to help children improve their pronunciation of the /s/ sound, as in "snake." The study involves brief speech sessions and recordings to determine if clarity improves over time. Participants will receive online speech lessons, with some starting immediately and others after an initial period. The trial seeks children who struggle with the /s/ sound, speak English as their primary language, and reside in the United States or Canada. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity for children to potentially enhance their speech skills through innovative methods.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on speech treatment, so it's unlikely that medications would be affected, but you should check with the trial organizers to be sure.

What prior data suggests that this motor-based speech treatment is safe for improving the /s/ sound?

Research has shown that motor-based speech treatments are generally safe for children. In past studies, methods like PROMPT intervention improved speech clarity and control, enabling children to move their mouths and tongues more effectively to produce sounds. Similar treatments have not revealed major safety issues.

This trial involves short speech sessions over video chat, a non-invasive method that avoids surgery or medication, which typically carry more risks. The method of teaching sounds, such as the /s/ sound, is common in speech therapy and has not caused significant problems.

Overall, motor-based speech treatments are usually well-tolerated, focusing on exercises and techniques to improve speech. Participants can expect a safe experience with these speech therapy sessions. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this motor-based speech treatment for Speech Sound Disorder because it focuses on directly improving the motor skills needed for clear speech. Unlike traditional therapies that primarily address cognitive or linguistic aspects of speech, this treatment hones in on the physical coordination of speech muscles. This approach could lead to more targeted improvements in speech clarity and fluency, offering a novel angle compared to existing therapies. Additionally, the treatment's structure allows for adaptability, potentially making it suitable for a wide range of individuals with varying levels of speech impairments.

What evidence suggests that this motor-based speech treatment is effective for speech sound disorder?

Research shows that treatments focusing on speech movements can improve word pronunciation. In this trial, participants will receive a method called Speech Motor Chaining, which involves practicing key movements to build speech. Studies have found that this approach can clarify speech, especially when visual aids demonstrate sound production. It has proven more effective than some traditional therapies. This means people might improve in pronouncing certain sounds, like the /s/ sound in "snake," with this treatment. ^{4 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jonathan Preston, PhD

Principal Investigator

Syracuse University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for children with difficulty pronouncing the /s/ sound, as in 'snake.' Participants should be able to attend short speech sessions four times a week for eight weeks via video chat. Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria are not provided but would typically involve age range and severity of speech disorder.

Inclusion Criteria

Participants must experience difficulty on /s/

Participants must speak English as a dominant language and must have begun learning English before age 3

Participants must have no reported hearing loss

Exclusion Criteria

Participants who do not experience difficulty on /s/

Participants who have a reported neurodevelopmental diagnosis. A reported diagnosis of ADHD/ADD is admissible if participants meet all other inclusionary criteria

Participants who do not have access to a Windows or Apple computer with the ability to join a Zoom session. Additionally, participants who do not have wired broadband internet connection at home

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (virtual)

Dynamic Assessment

Participants receive a dynamic assessment session to orient them to accurate /s/ productions and practice with feedback.

1 session (45 minutes)

1 visit (virtual)

Evaluation

Participants undergo various assessments to determine eligibility for the treatment study.

1 session (60 minutes)

1 visit (virtual)

Treatment

Participants receive Speech Motor Chaining treatment for /s/ production errors.

8 weeks

32 sessions (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for progress and effectiveness of the treatment.

16 weeks

3 visits (virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Motor-based speech treatment

Trial Overview The study tests a new motor-based method to teach the /s/ sound through brief, frequent lessons over video chat. Children will be randomly assigned to start immediately or after an 8-week delay, with progress tracked across multiple visits by recording their pronunciation.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Wait first, then treat Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Period of no treatment followed by period of treatment

Group II: Treatment First Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Receive Speech Motor Chaining treatment, followed by a period of no treatment

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Syracuse University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

54

Recruited

118,000+

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05929859

Intensive Speech Motor Chaining Treatment for Residual ... The goal of this randomized-controlled trial is to compare distributed treatment schedules and intensive treatment schedules in 84 school-age children with ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6802861/

Tutorial: Speech Motor Chaining Treatment for School-Age ... This tutorial describes Speech Motor Chaining (SMC) procedures, which are designed to build complex speech around core movements by incorporating several ...

3. asha.org asha.org/practice-portal/clinical-topics/articulation-and-phonology/?srsltid=AfmBOooMn56Plm9Bj8V1C3hqeiwNDoYwqqmn6j41D76WTwcdPQz6clo_

Speech Sound Disorders: Articulation and Phonology Speech sound disorders: articulation and phonology are functional/ organic deficits that impact the ability to perceive and/or produce speech sounds.

4. chaining.syr.edu chaining.syr.edu/

Speech Motor Chaining - Index The Speech Motor Chaining web application is designed for speech-language clinicians who treat motor-based speech sound disorders.

5. digscholarship.unco.edu digscholarship.unco.edu/grad_pres_2020/8/

"Effectiveness of Speech Motor Chaining Treatment with ... Visual biofeedback during speech motor chaining therapy more effective in improving speech sound accuracy than traditional articulation therapy?

6. rubyspeech.com rubyspeech.com/speech-therapy-motor-speech-disorders

Motor Speech Disorders Motor speech difficulties impact the ability to perform the movements or gestures required for clear speech production.

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7979536/

PROMPT intervention for children with severe speech motor ... PROMPT intervention was associated with notable improvements in speech motor control, speech articulation, and word-level speech intelligibility.

8. my.clevelandclinic.org my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23454-articulation-disorder

Articulation Disorder: What It Is, Types & Treatment Articulation disorder is a common speech condition in children who can't make certain sounds. There's no specific cause, but speech therapy can help.

9. pubs.asha.org pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/2020_PERSP-19-00165

Rapid Syllable Transition Treatment—A ... The treatment uses nonwords to help children build and store accurate motor plans and programs using principles of motor learning. Treatment ...