Study Overview
The study involved 22 children with dysarthria and cerebral palsy, who were randomly assigned to either receive traditional speech therapy or intensive dysarthria therapy via Skype. The Skype therapy focused on breath control and phonation, aiming to produce clear speech at a steady rate.
Key Findings
- All participants accepted the random allocation and none withdrew from the study, indicating high acceptability.
- Families judged the internet delivery of the therapy to be acceptable, and all reported the study design was acceptable.
- Treatment integrity checks suggested reducing the length of phrases practiced in one therapy exercise for better results.
Practical Implications
Practitioners can draw several practical implications from this study:
- Feasibility: Internet-delivered therapy is feasible and can be effectively integrated into existing therapy practices.
- Acceptability: Families are open to and satisfied with online therapy, making it a viable option for those with mobility restrictions or tight schedules.
- Therapy Protocol: Focus on breath control and phonation can significantly improve speech clarity. Ensure phrases practiced are manageable in length.
Encouraging Further Research
While this pilot study shows promise, further research is needed to explore long-term outcomes and the potential for scaling up internet-delivered therapy. Practitioners are encouraged to contribute to this growing field by conducting their own studies or participating in larger trials.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Internet delivery of intensive speech and language therapy for children with cerebral palsy: a pilot randomised controlled trial.
