Speech Sound Stimulation for Language Disorder

Overseen By Taylor Abel, MD

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh

Disqualifiers: Significant impairment, Autism, ADHD

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

10 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to better understand cortical contributions of the human temporal lobe to the frequency-following response. Frequency-following responses (FFR) are electrophysiological recordings that reflect phase-locked activity of neural ensembles in the auditory pathway and are used as an indicator of the integrity of supra-threshold speech processing. FFR was first studied in subcortical areas, but recent consensus in the literature supports the notion that it is an integrated response between subcortical and cortical neural populations. The proposed study aims to deconstruct the role of the cortex in generating and modulating the FFR. The research team will build a novel computational model of FFR mechanisms and use EEG recordings from participants who have undergone resection of lesions in Heschl's gyrus to validate model predictions.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Speech sound stimulation, Speech sound therapy, Speech sound treatment, Auditory feedback therapy for language disorder?

Research on similar treatments, like the integrated SSD treatment program PhonoSens and ultrasound visual feedback, shows promise in improving speech sound disorders by focusing on phonological and phonetic processing and using visual feedback to aid learning. These approaches suggest that targeted sound therapies can be effective in addressing speech sound issues. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is speech sound stimulation therapy safe for humans?

The research articles provided do not contain specific safety data for speech sound stimulation therapy, but they focus on its use in children with speech sound disorders, suggesting it is generally considered safe for this population. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

How does the Speech Sound Stimulation treatment for language disorder differ from other treatments?

The Speech Sound Stimulation treatment is unique because it focuses on enhancing the brain's ability to process sounds, potentially improving speech through neuronal plasticity (the brain's ability to change and adapt) in the auditory pathway. This approach may differ from traditional speech therapies that primarily focus on practicing sound production without directly targeting the brain's auditory processing capabilities. ^{3 8 10 11 12}

Research Team

Taylor Abel, MD

Principal Investigator

University of Pittsburgh

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals aged 13-25 with normal nonverbal IQ, vision, language skills, and hearing. They must be monolingual English speakers undergoing surgery for a lesion in Heschl's gyrus without autism or ADHD history.

Inclusion Criteria

Nonverbal IQ within normal limits

I have normal hearing in both ears.

I am between 13 and 25 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

History of autism or ADHD

I do not have any major health or mental issues preventing me from joining the study.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

sEEG-EEG Recording Sessions

Participants undergo sEEG-EEG recording sessions to measure pitch decoding accuracy, frequency-following response magnitude, and phase-locking limits

Up to 3 hours total

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for predictability effects of cortical resection on pitch decoding accuracy and frequency-following response magnitude

At least 6 months post-sEEG

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Speech sound stimulation

Trial Overview The study aims to understand the role of the cortex in generating frequency-following responses (FFR) related to speech processing by using EEG recordings and creating a computational model.

Participant Groups

Group I: Neurosurgical Patients Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Patient participants with previously excised tissue within Heschl's gyrus (as dictated by clinical care)

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Pittsburgh

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,820

Recruited

16,360,000+

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

Collaborator

Trials

377

Recruited

190,000+

Findings from Research

A motor-learning-based treatment using ultrasound visual feedback significantly improved speech sound accuracy in individuals with residual speech sound errors, as shown in a study with 8 participants over 14 sessions.

The addition of prosodic cueing did not significantly enhance the treatment's effectiveness, but participants still demonstrated retention and generalization of learned sounds even two months after treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Ultrasound visual feedback treatment and practice variability for residual speech sound errors. Preston, JL., McCabe, P., Rivera-Campos, A., et al.[2022]

Sound Production Treatment (SPT) was effective in improving the accuracy of speech sounds in 6 participants with acquired apraxia of speech (AOS) and aphasia, regardless of whether the treatment was presented in a blocked or random order.

The random presentation of treatment words (SPT-random) showed potential advantages in maintaining improvements for some participants, suggesting that different practice methods may influence treatment outcomes in AOS.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sound production treatment: effects of blocked and random practice. Wambaugh, JL., Nessler, C., Wright, S., et al.[2016]

In a study involving 4 speakers with chronic apraxia of speech and aphasia, all participants showed improved accuracy in speech production across different treatment intensities and schedules using sound production treatment (SPT).

No significant differences in treatment outcomes were found between the various SPT applications, suggesting that different intensities and practice schedules can be equally effective for improving speech accuracy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Treatment for acquired apraxia of speech: examination of treatment intensity and practice schedule. Wambaugh, JL., Nessler, C., Cameron, R., et al.[2016]

References

1. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effectiveness of an Integrated Treatment for Functional Speech Sound Disorders-A Randomized Controlled Trial. [2021]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Ultrasound visual feedback treatment and practice variability for residual speech sound errors. [2022]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sound production treatment: effects of blocked and random practice. [2016]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Sound Therapy-Based Intervention to Expand the Auditory Dynamic Range for Loudness among Persons with Sensorineural Hearing Losses: Case Evidence Showcasing Treatment Efficacy. [2023]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Treatment for acquired apraxia of speech: examination of treatment intensity and practice schedule. [2016]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Drawing Talking: Listening to Children With Speech Sound Disorders. [2022]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Understanding capacity for implementing new interventions: A qualitative study of speech and language therapy services for children with speech sound disorder. [2023]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparing Feedback Types in Multimedia Learning of Speech by Young Children With Common Speech Sound Disorders: Research Protocol for a Pretest Posttest Independent Measures Control Trial. [2020]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An integrated evaluation of nonspeech oral motor treatments. [2019]

10. Brazil pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neuronal plasticity of the auditory pathway in children with speech sound disorder: a study of Long-Latency Auditory Evoked Potentials. [2022]

11. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Turkish stimulability treatment program for children with speech sound disorders: a preliminary study. [2022]

12. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The importance of sound identification training in phonological intervention. [2016]