Stammering in children aged 8-14 years old Mental and Behavioural Disorders Stuttering [stammering]
Conditions
Interventions
Intervention:
Palin STSC (8-14) consists of:
- Comprehensive assessment of factors that are significant in relation to the child's stammering (based on current literature)
- 10 x 1 hour therapy sessi
Sponsors
Whittington Hospital NHS Trust (Noclor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: There are three groups of participants in this study: speech and language therapists, children who stammer and parents of children who stammer. There are therefore three separate sets of inclusion criteria: 1. Speech and language therapists: 1.1. Not currently delivering Palin STSC (8-14) and not previously trained in the approach 1.2. Have the potential to identify and provide intervention (either Palin STSC (8-14) or Treatment as Usual) to at least 2 children and families within the duration of the study 2. Children who stammer: 2.1. Aged between 8 years 0 months and 14 years 11 months at the start of the study 2.2. Diagnosed/recognised as stammering by speech and language therapist, parent and self 2.3. Want to receive stammering therapy 2.4. Have at least one parent who is able to attend therapy and participate in the study 3. Parents of children who stammer: 3.1. Have a child who is participating in the study
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. Speech and language therapists: 1.1. Currently working with families on a weekly basis using principles of Palin STSC (8-14) 1.2. Unable to provide weekly family therapy sessions due to service of resource limitations 2. Children who stammer: 2.1. Have received therapy in the previous 6 months or are currently receiving speech and language therapy 2.2. Have attended the Michael Palin Centre for therapy 2.3. Do not have a parent who consents to take part in the study 2.4. Are involved in any other research study which involves an intervention or multiple assessments 2.5. Are accessing formal counselling through psychological services and the addition of Palin STSC is contra-indicated 3. Parents of children who stammer: 3.1. Their child has been excluded for any reason 3.2. There are any contra-indictions for therapy. This might include significant issues in the family that would mean that the therapy would cause additional burden, e.g. bereavement or birth of a baby
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. Recruitment and attrition rates for speech and language therapists, children and parents. The numbers of children approached, numbers consenting and attrition rates will be recorded, as will evidence of non-consent or withdrawal, to determine whether sufficient numbers can be recruited (via NHS Trusts) and retained for a future trial, considering participation, dropout and completion rates. These records are monitored on a monthly basis by the research team (as a minimum) and reported to the STG every six months. The recruitment rates will be formally reviewed one year in to the study. If at least 25% of participants have been recruited at this point, the trial will continue. 2. The range, practicalities and completeness of the measures used to measure and predict response to treatment, measured using the degree of variability within the group and the change observed across each of the measures used, based on standard deviations and change. This will inform power calculations for the full trial and help determine whether the assessments included are appropriate or necessary in the full trial. This will be assessed once all data have been collected. 3. The acceptability of Palin STSC (8-14) to children, speech and language therapists and parents. This will be informed by recruitment and retention rates, number of sessions offered and attended, qualitative interviews and treatment fidelity data. The number of sessions offered and attended will be recorded in weekly ‘session summaries’ completed by the speech and language therapists. The interviews will take place prior to the start of therapy, at the end of therapy and 6 months following the start of therapy. Recruitment and retention rates will be recorded and monitored as described above. 4. The acceptability of the research methods, including randomisation and data collection. This will be informed by recruitment and retention rates, number of sessions offered and attended, qualitative interviews and treatment | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| The secondary outcome measures will explore the variables that predict response to treatment. While they cannot be used to establish or predict outcome in this feasibility trial, completion of this battery of assessments will inform which assessments are required to predict outcome in the full trial study. The secondary outcome measures are: 1. Stammering frequency and severity, measured using a recorded sample of speech (reading and conversation) which will be analysed using the Stuttering Severity Instrument, child self-rating of satisfaction with communication, children's responses to the Speech Situation Checklists and the Behavioural Checklist. These will be completed at baseline and 6 months following the start of therapy. These data will be analysed when data collection is completed. 2. The impact of stammering on the child and parents, measured using the OASES-S, Communication Attitude Test and Palin Parent Rating Scales. These questionnaires are completed at baseline and 6 months following the start of therapy. 3. Children's classroom behaviours and peer relations, measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. This questionnaire is completed baseline and 6 months following the start of therapy. 4. The presence of anxiety or depression reaching a clinical threshold in children, measured using the Revised Children's anxiety and Depression Scale. These questionnaires will be completed at baseline and 6 months following the start of therapy. 5. Children's temperament, measured using the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire-Revised or the Temperament in Middle Childhood Questionnaire, depending on the child's age. This will be completed at baseline. 6. Children's levels and use of language, measured by analysing a speech sample using the Child Language Exchange System. These speech sample recordings are made at baseline and 6 months following the start of therapy to determine stammering frequency and severity. These will be analysed to ex | — |
Countries
England, United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed