Language Development Disorders
Conditions
Brief summary
This study aims to test the effectiveness of virtual reality-supported speech therapy in improving basic language skills in children aged 3 to 6 years diagnosed with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). Participants are randomly assigned to either traditional speech therapy or virtual reality-supported therapy, with the same frequency and duration of intervention. Language outcomes are assessed before and after treatment using the Language development level test (TVL), a standardized assessment of Italian for preschoolers. The study adopts a randomized controlled design with individualized, goal-oriented therapy delivered by certified speech-language pathologists.
Interventions
The VRRS delivers personalized language therapy exercises via touchscreen interface. Activities target receptive language, repetition, naming, and spontaneous language production. All sessions are conducted by trained speech-language pathologists in accordance with standardized therapeutic protocols.
BEHAVIORALTaditional Speech Therapy
Standard speech-language therapy delivered in-person by certified therapists, targeting the same language domains with paper-based and interactive materials.
Sponsors
IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
3 Years to 8 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Age between 3 and 6 years at enrollment * Clinical diagnosis of Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) based on DSM-5 and standardized language assessments * Developmental Quotient (DQ) \> 70 on the Griffiths III Scales * Good general health without neurological or psychiatric comorbidities * Informed consent signed by a parent or legal guardian
Exclusion criteria
* Age not between 3 and 6 years * Lack of clinical diagnosis of Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) * Developmental Quotient (DQ) \< 70 on the Griffiths Scale III * Presence of neurological or psychiatric comorbidities * Lack of signed informed consent from a parent or legal guardian
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Language Development Level Test (TVL) | Baseline and Month 3 | The Test of Verbalization and Language Development is a standardized tool designed to assess various aspects of language development, including verbal production, comprehension, sentence construction, phonological accuracy, and morphosyntactic abilities. The weighted score ranges from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating better language development. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Griffiths III Scales | Baseline | General cognitive development will be assessed using the Griffiths III Scales of Child Development. The Global Developmental Quotient, DQ, has a possible range from 50 to 150, with higher scores indicating better developmental and cognitive functioning. The DQ will be used as an index of overall cognitive functioning and as a potential moderator in the analysis of language outcomes. |
Countries
Italy
Outcome results
None listed