Augmentative Communication for Cerebral Palsy

(SPEAK Trial)

Overseen By WISC Lab

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Wisconsin, Madison

Disqualifiers: Vision impairment, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether a technique called speech supplementation can help children with cerebral palsy improve their speech clarity. The main focus is on how much clearer their speech becomes after using this method compared to their usual way of speaking. Children with cerebral palsy or similar movement-affecting conditions, who have some speech difficulties and can form sentences, might be suitable candidates. Participants will work with a speech-language pathologist to learn and practice this technique. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity for participants to potentially enhance their communication skills through innovative methods.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on speech and communication, so it's unlikely that medication changes are required, but you should confirm with the trial organizers.

What prior data suggests that this speech supplementation method is safe for children with cerebral palsy?

Research has shown that speech supplementation can help children with cerebral palsy speak more clearly. Current studies have not identified any safety concerns, as speech supplementation is non-invasive. This approach does not involve surgery or medication but uses techniques taught by speech-language pathologists to enhance communication. As a therapy-based approach, it is generally well-tolerated, and no negative effects have been reported in the available research. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about speech supplementation for cerebral palsy because it offers a new way to enhance communication by teaching children strategies to improve their speech clarity. Unlike traditional treatments that often focus on using devices or alternative communication methods, this approach empowers children to use their own voices more effectively. By focusing on individual teaching and practice, speech supplementation has the potential to significantly improve speech intelligibility, offering a more personalized and empowering option for children with cerebral palsy.

What evidence suggests that speech supplementation is effective for improving speech intelligibility in children with cerebral palsy?

Research has shown that using additional aids, such as alphabet hints, topic hints, and hand gestures, can significantly clarify speech for children with cerebral palsy. One study found that these combined methods improved understanding by about 40%. Evidence also indicates that children with cerebral palsy can speak more clearly and loudly by adjusting their speaking speed. These findings suggest that these speech aids offer a promising way to enhance communication for children with cerebral palsy. Participants in this trial will learn to use these speech supplementation strategies to evaluate their effectiveness in improving communication. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Katherine C Hustad, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for children aged 7 to 17 with cerebral palsy who have speech disorders. They should be able to complete language assessments and participate in training sessions with a speech-language pathologist. The study does not specify exclusion criteria, so additional factors may need to be considered on an individual basis.

Inclusion Criteria

Cognitive/language skills that enable basic picture identification on a communication board

Pass pure tone hearing screening

I have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy or a similar condition affecting my motor skills.

Exclusion Criteria

Failure to meet all inclusion criteria

Not suitable for participation due to other reasons at the discretion of the investigators

I cannot see well enough to read items on a communication board.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Children participate in baseline assessment measures, including the production of habitual speech

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Intervention

Children learn and practice the speech supplementation strategy with a speech-language pathologist

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Post-Test

Children complete a post-test using the speech supplementation strategy

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in speech intelligibility and effectiveness of the intervention

2-4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Speech Supplementation

Trial Overview The trial tests if using AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) can make it easier for kids with cerebral palsy to be understood when they talk. It compares their usual way of speaking with the clarity of speech after learning a special strategy from a therapist.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: speech supplementation Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Children will complete a pre-test on their speech prior to learning speech supplementation strategy use, and will be taught to use speech supplementation through one-on-one teaching. They will then complete a post test on their speech while using speech supplementation.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,249

Recruited

3,255,000+

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

Collaborator

Trials

377

Recruited

190,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7231911/

Effects of Rate Manipulation on Intelligibility in Children ... Results revealed that 4- to 14-year-old children with dysarthria and CP were able to manipulate their speech clarity and vocal intensity with ...

2. pubs.asha.org pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/2022_JSLHR-22-00375

Motor Speech Interventions for Children With Cerebral Palsy Neuroplasticity evidence suggests that adherence to principles of motor learning (PML) improves motor speech intervention outcomes. Motor speech interventions ...

3. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0743461031000121052

Improving Intelligibility of Speakers with Profound ... Most importantly, the magnitude of the benefit from combined cues was approximately 40% across speakers, suggesting that this could be a ...

4. uwo.ca uwo.ca/fhs/csd/ebp/reviews/2008-09/Yanch.pdf

Evidence for improved speech intelligibility with the use of ... Overall, research findings suggest that speech supplementation strategies, such as alphabet cues, topic cues and iconic hand gestures, can be effective in ...

5. onlinelibrary.wiley.com onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/cch.13301

Effectiveness of therapeutic interventions on participation ... The aim of this systematic review is to determine the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions on participation outcomes of children with cerebral palsy (CP).

6. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07173049

Speech Production Enhancement Using Augmentative ... The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if speech supplementation can improve speech intelligibility in children ages 7 to 17 years with cerebral palsy.

7. patlynk.com patlynk.com/trial/NCT07173049

Speech Supplementation for Children with Cerebral Palsy This study focuses on improving communication abilities in children with cerebral palsy who have difficulty being understood when they speak, ...

8. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23962350/

A systematic review of interventions for children with ... Most (70%) evidence for intervention was lower level (yellow) while 6% was ineffective (red). Interpretation: Evidence supports 15 green light interventions.

9. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2324242623000311

Recent advancements in interventions for cerebral palsy Incobotulinum toxin A was safe and effective for spasticity in children with CP when administered ≤500 units in ≤98 weeks104.

10. onlinelibrary.wiley.com onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dmcn.14325

Physical, occupational, and speech therapy for children ... Aim. To explore the relationship between rehabilitation therapies and development in children with cerebral palsy (CP).