Intensive Dysarthria Sessions in Adults and Children With Down Syndrome

Duke University5 enrolled

Overview

This research study is designed to investigate the feasibility and treatment effects of a behavioral speech treatment in adults and children with Down Syndrome (DS) and dysarthria. The speech sessions will provide an intensive, articulation-based intervention focused on increasing effort during speech production via use of "clear speech." A single subject multiple baselines across subjects design will be employed in a total of six subjects divided into two groups of three. Changes in dependent measures will be determined by visual inspection, effect size determination, and time series analysis. The study follows accepted procedures in rehabilitation treatment and research and there are minimal foreseeable risks associated with participation.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Dysarthria Down Syndrome

Interventions

Subjects will be instructed to use clear speech and increased effort when speaking.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 8 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults and children with Downs Syndrome and dysarthria * Ages 8 years and older * Ability to verbally communicate; follow simple commands and/or imitate others; hear speech at a conversational level; and participate in assessment and speech sessions activities Exclusion Criteria: * Additional serious medical problems which prevent meaningful participation in the study.

Locations (1)

Duke University Health System

Durham, North Carolina, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Speech intelligibility

Speech intelligibility in sentences scored by naive listeners.

Time frame: 3-6 months

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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