What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

The trial for Speech Sound Disorder is comparing distributed treatment schedules (2 sessions per week for 8 weeks) and intensive treatment schedules (16 hours of treatment in 4 weeks). Generally, speech and language therapy, whether distributed or intensive, is considered safe with minimal side effects. However, potential side effects may include temporary fatigue or frustration in children due to the increased cognitive and physical demands of frequent sessions. It is important to monitor the child's response to therapy and adjust the schedule as needed to prevent burnout.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

There are no specific FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of Speech Sound Disorder. The primary treatments involve speech therapy, which can be administered in various schedules, such as distributed (e.g., 2 sessions per week for 8 weeks) or intensive (e.g., 16 hours of treatment in 4 weeks). These approaches focus on improving speech sound learning through structured and repetitive practice rather than pharmacological interventions.

What other types of research exist?

Promising novel alternatives to traditional treatment schedules for Speech Sound Disorder patients include intensive treatment schedules that condense therapy into shorter, more frequent sessions over a shorter period (e.g., 16 hours in 4 weeks). This approach has been shown to be effective in recent trials and may offer benefits in terms of faster speech sound learning and potentially better adherence to therapy.

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Behavioral Intervention

Speech Therapy for Speech Sound Disorder (iChain Trial)

N/A

Recruiting

Led By Jonathan Preston, PhD

Research Sponsored by Syracuse University

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Be younger than 18 years old

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up before the initiation of treatment and again 10 weeks later.

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial is testing two different schedules for speech therapy in children with persistent speech problems. One schedule spreads sessions over a longer period, while the other packs them into a shorter time. The idea is that more frequent sessions might help children learn correct speech sounds better by reducing mistakes between sessions.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for American English-speaking children aged 9 to 17 with speech sound disorders, specifically difficulty with /ɹ/ and /s/ sounds. They must have started learning English by age 3, pass a hearing test, score adequately on language understanding tests, and want to improve their speech. Children with cleft palate, voice disorders, autism spectrum disorder, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability or brain injury are excluded.

What is being tested?

The study compares two different schedules of Speech Motor Chaining treatment: a 'Distributed' schedule (2 sessions per week for 8 weeks) versus an 'Intensive' schedule (16 hours of treatment over 4 weeks). The aim is to see which schedule better helps school-age children learn correct speech sounds in cases of residual speech sound disorder.

What are the potential side effects?

Since the intervention involves non-medical treatment focused on improving speech through therapy sessions rather than drugs or surgery, there are no direct physical side effects associated with this clinical trial.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ 10 weeks after the start of treatment.

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~10 weeks after the start of treatment.

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 10 weeks after the start of treatment. for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Change in percent correct for treated sound, rated by blinded listeners.

Secondary study objectives

Proportion of responders and non-responders in each group.

Survey evaluating impacts of speech disorder on participants' social, emotional, and academic well-being.

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Intensive TreatmentExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Speech Motor Chaining will be delivered in an intensive fashion. Week 1: 8 sessions (2 sessions per day on 4 different days) Week 2: 3 sessions (1 per day on 3 different days) Week 3: 3 sessions (1 per day on 3 different days) Week 4: 2 sessions (1 per day on 2 different days)

Group II: Distributed TreatmentExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Speech Motor Chaining will be delivered twice weekly for 8 weeks

Do I qualify?Apply below to find out

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

Common treatments for Speech Sound Disorder (SSD) include traditional speech therapy techniques such as articulation therapy and phonological therapy. These treatments work by helping patients practice the correct production of speech sounds through repetitive exercises and feedback. The trial comparing distributed (2 sessions per week for 8 weeks) and intensive (16 hours in 4 weeks) treatment schedules aims to determine the most effective frequency and distribution of sessions for speech sound learning. Understanding the mechanisms of these treatments is crucial for SSD patients because it helps tailor therapy to maximize speech improvement, ensuring that patients receive the most effective and efficient care possible.

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