Down Syndrome, Dysarthria
Conditions
Brief summary
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.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALSpeech sessions
Subjects will be instructed to use clear speech and increased effort when speaking.
Sponsors
University of Rhode Island
University of Florida
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Duke University
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
8 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
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.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Speech intelligibility | 3-6 months | Speech intelligibility in sentences scored by naive listeners. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed