The recent study "Telepractice in School-Age Children Who Stutter: A Controlled Before and After Study to Evaluate the Efficacy Of MIDA-SP" provides critical insights into the effectiveness of telepractice for children who stutter. This study, published in the International Journal of Telerehabilitation, compared the outcomes of the Multidimensional, Integrated, Differentiated, Art-Mediated Stuttering Program (MIDA-SP) delivered via telepractice with traditional in-person therapy.
The research aimed to evaluate whether telepractice could maintain the quality of treatment for school-age children who stutter, an essential consideration given the constraints imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The study included an experimental group of 11 children receiving telepractice adaptation of MIDA-SP and a historical control group of 11 children receiving in-person MIDA-SP. Both groups were assessed using the Stuttering Severity Instrument Fourth Edition (SSI-4) and the Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering (OASES-S) before and after treatment.
Key Findings
- No statistically significant differences were found between telepractice and in-person delivery methods in terms of treatment efficacy.
- Both groups showed a significant reduction in stuttering severity and an improvement in the overall experience of stuttering.
- The telepractice group had a lower rate of missed appointments compared to the in-person group, although this difference was not statistically significant.
Implications for Practitioners
The findings suggest that telepractice can be an effective mode of delivery for speech therapy, particularly for school-age children who stutter. Practitioners should consider the following when implementing telepractice:
- Continuity of Care: Telepractice can reduce missed appointments, ensuring more consistent therapy sessions and potentially better outcomes.
- Accessibility: Telepractice eliminates geographical barriers, making it easier for children in remote areas to access quality speech therapy.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Reduced travel time and associated costs make telepractice a more economical option for families and healthcare providers.
Future Research Directions
While the study provides promising results, it also highlights the need for further research. Future studies should aim to:
- Increase the sample size to enhance the statistical power of the findings.
- Include a mixed delivery method to assess the effectiveness of combining in-person and telepractice sessions.
- Investigate the efficacy of including art-mediated training in the telepractice delivery of MIDA-SP.
By expanding the scope of research, we can better understand the full potential of telepractice in treating stuttering and other speech disorders.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Telepractice in School-Age Children Who Stutter: A Controlled Before and After Study to Evaluate the Efficacy Of MIDA-SP
