Purpose: The aim of this study was to provide a systematic review of the aspects of verbal communication contributing to listener perceptions of speaker gender with a view to providing clinicians ...with guidance for the selection of the training goals when working with transsexual individuals. Method: Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines were adopted in this systematic review. Studies evaluating the contribution of aspects of verbal communication to listener perceptions of speaker gender were rated against a new risk of bias assessment tool. Relevant data were extracted, and narrative synthesis was then conducted. Meta-analyses were conducted when appropriate data were available. Results: Thirty-eight articles met the eligibility criteria. Meta-analysis showed speaking fundamental frequency contributing to 41.6% of the variance in gender perception. Auditory-perceptual and acoustic measures of pitch, resonance, loudness, articulation, and intonation were found to be associated with listeners' perceptions of speaker gender. Tempo and stress were not significantly associated. Mixed findings were found as to the contribution of a breathy voice quality to gender perception. Nonetheless, there exists significant risk of bias in this body of research. Conclusions: Speech and language clinicians working with transsexual individuals may use the results of this review for goal setting. Further research is required to redress the significant risk of bias.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, ODKLJ, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
•The SLP’s role in making the therpaeutic process transparent, which enhances the client’s therapy experience.•The implications of therapeutic techniques with clients who covertly stutter.•The ...benefits of self-education and developing autonomy for a person who covertly stutters.•The impact of environmental factors such as family and professional support for a person who covertly stutters.
Individuals who covertly stutter have a unique experience of stuttering that involves concealing the core behaviors of stuttering (e.g., repetitions, prolongations, and blocks). From the listener’s perspective, covert stuttering results in minimum typical, overt stuttering behaviors. However, from the speaker’s perspective, covert stuttering often increases the cognitive and emotional impact of stuttering. This study explores the speech-language therapy experiences of individuals who covertly stutter in order to improve treatment recommendations and best practice.
This investigation is a qualitative analysis of individuals’ speech-language therapy experiences as persons who covertly stutter. Real-time video interviews were conducted with the use of open-ended phenomenological interview questions. Interviews were transcribed and thematic analysis of interview transcripts was conducted to investigate the speech-language therapy experiences of the participants.
The participants indicated that stuttering therapy was most impactful when it included explicit goals and activities, personalized selection of therapy techniques or strategies beyond fluency techniques, encouraged self-education, and educated those in the person’s environment.
The evidence suggests individualized therapy based on each client’s unique manifestation of covert stuttering is beneficial; while, fluency-focused stuttering therapy is often incongruent with the needs of persons who covertly stutter. Therapeutic implications and recommendations for speech-language pathologists are discussed.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Background
Parent‐delivered home programmes are frequently used to remediate speech and language difficulties in young children. However, the evidence base for this service delivery model is limited.
...Aims
The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the effectiveness of parent‐implemented home programmes in facilitating the development of children's speech and language skills, and to evaluate the cost‐effectiveness and feasibility of this service delivery method.
Methods & Procedures
A systematic search of the PsycINFO, CINAHL and ERIC databases was conducted. Quality appraisal of individual studies was conducted. Findings from each of the studies were then integrated to report on outcomes for the child, the parent and the service.
Outcomes & Results
There is preliminary evidence that home programmes can lead to growth in a child's speech and language skills and are more effective than no intervention, provided the home programmes are used with high dosage rates and direct parent training.
Conclusions & Implications
Home programmes are a potentially useful service delivery model, but caution should be exercised when considering their use to address broader service delivery challenges. Further high‐level evidence is needed across all facets of this service delivery model.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
Purpose: This article introduces implementation science, which focuses on research methods that promote the systematic application of research findings to practice. Method: The narrative defines ...implementation science and highlights the importance of moving research along the pipeline from basic science to practice as one way to facilitate evidence-based service delivery. This review identifies challenges in developing and testing interventions in order to achieve widespread adoption in practice settings. A framework for conceptualizing implementation research is provided, including an example to illustrate the application of principles in speech-language pathology. Last, the authors reflect on the status of implementation research in the discipline of communication sciences and disorders. Conclusions: The extant literature highlights the value of implementation science for reducing the gap between research and practice in our discipline. While having unique principles guiding implementation research, many of the challenges and questions are similar to those facing any investigators who are attempting to design valid and reliable studies. This article is intended to invigorate interest in the uniqueness of implementation science among those pursuing both basic and applied research. In this way, it should help ensure the discipline's knowledge base is realized in practice and policy that affects the lives of individuals with communication disorders.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, ODKLJ, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
Spiralling numbers of patients are being referred on the two-week wait (2WW) head and neck cancer referral pathway. Only a small proportion are found to have cancer. There is a call for change in the ...management of these referrals, particularly following coronavirus. Allied health professionals (AHPs) are being encouraged by the NHS to extend their clinical practice to address increased demand. Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) may offer a solution to some of the 2WW pathway's challenges.
Recent evidence highlights problems with the pathway and reasons for change. Hoarse voice is consistently found to be the most common presenting symptom. Emerging evidence suggests SLTs can extend their scope of practice to manage new hoarse voice referrals. A pilot project is described. Outcomes from this and other ongoing studies explore efficacy and investment required to make this proposal an achievable prospect for the future.
The management of 2WW referrals on the head and neck cancer pathway needs to change. Preliminary findings suggest SLTs working within the context of the multidisciplinary team can safely extended their role to improve management of these patients. Professional role outline, recognition, guidance, and training framework are needed.
Purpose: This study measures the experience of spontaneous speech in everyday speaking situations. Spontaneity of speech is a novel concept developed to account for the subjective experience of ...speaking. Spontaneous speech is characterized by little premeditation and effortless production, and it is enjoyable and meaningful. Attention is not directed on the physical production of speech. Spontaneity is intended to be distinct from fluency so that it can be used to describe both stuttered and fluent speech. This is the first study to attempt to measure the concept of spontaneity of speech. Method: The experience sampling method was used with 44 people who stutter. They were surveyed five times a day for 1 week through their cell phones. They reported on their perceived spontaneity, fluency, and speaking context. Results: Results indicate that spontaneity and fluency are independent, though correlated, constructs that vary with context. Importantly, an increase in spontaneity significantly decreases the adverse impact of stuttering on people's lives. Fluency did not significantly affect adverse life impact of stuttering. Conclusion: Findings support a theoretical construct of spontaneity that is distinct from speech fluency and that can inform our views of stuttering and approaches to stuttering treatment.
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Childhood-onset fluency disorder, the most common form of stuttering, is a neurologic disability resulting from an underlying brain abnormality that causes disfluent speech. Stuttering can lead to ...significant secondary effects, including negative self-perception and negative perception by others, anxiety, and occasionally depression. Childhood-onset fluency disorder affects 5% to 10% of preschoolers. Early identification of stuttering is important so that therapy can begin while compensatory changes to the brain can still occur and to minimize the chances of the patient developing social anxiety, impaired social skills, maladaptive compensatory behaviors, and negative attitudes toward communication. However, stuttering may be persistent, even with early intervention, and affects about 1% of adults. In patients with persistent stuttering, speech therapy focuses on developing effective compensatory techniques and eliminating ineffective secondary behaviors. The role of family physicians includes facilitating early identification of children who stutter, arranging appropriate speech therapy, and providing support and therapy for patients experiencing psychosocial effects from stuttering. Finally, physicians can serve as advocates by making the clinic setting more comfortable for people who stutter and by educating teachers, coaches, employers, and others in the patient's life about the etiology of stuttering and the specific challenges patients face.
Cleft-related speech concerns can affect the quality of life (QOL) in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP). During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), in-person speech therapy (ST) was ...restricted due to fear of getting infected. This study aimed to compare QOL in patients with CLP with and without ST during the pandemic.
Cross-sectional Study.
CLP team at Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS).
Thirty-six CLP subjects with a mean age of 17.33 ± 4 years participated in two groups, including with and without ST. Fifteen subjects had cleft palate only (CPO) and others had CLP.
ST group received at least 10 ST sessions, and group without ST didn't receive ST during COVID-19.
A virtual link of demographic and QOL adolescent cleft (QoLAdoCleft) questionnaires were sent to fill out. Results were extracted and transferred to SPSS.
Total and subscales' scores of QoLAdoCleft were lower in ST group than without ST but differences between them weren't statistically significant (
> .05). Furthermore, according to cleft type, there weren't any statistically significant differences in total, physical, and social subscales of QoLAdoCleft (
> .05); however, psychological subscale in CLP had a higher significant score than CPO (
< .05).
QOL was weak in all patients with CLP, and receiving/not receiving ST couldn't make noticeable differences between them. It seems; COVID-19 pandemic can have an adverse effect on these results. Also, subjects with CLP had weaker psychological than CPO due to negative psychosocial feedback related to Orofacial deformities received from society.
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CMK, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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