MedPath

TreatPaCS = Treatment for Preschool Age Children Who Stutter

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Stuttering, Developmental
Interventions
Behavioral: Lidcombe Program
Behavioral: Mini-KIDS
Behavioral: Social Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Registration Number
NCT05185726
Lead Sponsor
Thomas More University of Applied Sciences
Brief Summary

Treatment for preschool age children who stutter: a randomised, multicentre, non-inferiority parallel group pragmatic trial with Mini-KIDS, the social cognitive behaviour therapy and the Lidcombe Program with 249 children

Detailed Description

Three treatment approaches for preschool age children who stutter are delivered and %Syllables Stuttered at 18 months post-randomisation of the three arms are compared .

Mini-KIDS is a direct treatment based on principles of stuttering modification, with pseudo-stuttering, that is, deliberate stuttering, as one of the main components. The program for 4-6-year old children consists of four stages: Stage 1 = desensitization, Stage 2 = modification, Stage 3 = identification and Stage 4 = generalization. The program for 2-4-year old children does not include stage 3. Speech therapist and parent(s) are the speech model for the child. They add normal dysfluencies to their speech. Later on in treatment and if necessary, children learn to recognise and alter their stuttering moments.

The social cognitive behaviour therapy contains 5 treatment phases: (1) conditioning speaking activities, (2) cognitive training focused on emotions, (3) cognitive training focused on cognitions, (4) emotional training and (5) skill training (Boey, 2010). This treatment is not directed at the speech of the children, but rather at the cognitive and emotional aspects that surround the stuttering.

The Lidcombe Program (LP) is an operant program that directly provides verbal feedback to the child's stutter-free speech (mainly) and the child's stuttering (occasionally). The program comprises two stages: Stage 1 in which (near) zero levels of stuttering are achieved and Stage 2 in which the achieved (near) zero levels of stuttering are maintained for a long period of time. The LP usually takes between 11 to 23 (60-minute) treatment sessions to achieve the goals of Stage 1, i. e. (near) zero levels of stuttering.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
249
Inclusion Criteria

Preschool age children must

  • stutter (identified by the Speech-Language Therapist)
  • be aged between 2 - 6.5 years
  • have normal hearing reported by the parent(s)
  • have, if bilingual, a parent who speaks a language that the SLT understands and speaks to allow clear communication
  • have at least one parent agreeing to be intensively involved in treatment and knowing that s/he will implement treatment at home
  • have at least one parent who is willing and able to videorecord his/her child regularly
Exclusion Criteria
  • have a syndrome such as Down Syndrome.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Lidcombe ProgramLidcombe ProgramThe Lidcombe Program (LP) is an operant program that directly provides verbal feedback to the child's stutter-free speech (mainly) and the child's stuttering (occasionally). The program comprises two stages: Stage 1 in which (near) zero levels of stuttering are achieved and Stage 2 in which the achieved (near) zero levels of stuttering are maintained for a long period of time. The LP usually takes between 11 to 23 (60-minute) treatment sessions to achieve the goals of Stage 1, i. e. (near) zero levels of stuttering.
Mini-KIDSMini-KIDSMini-KIDS is a direct treatment based on principles of stuttering modification, with pseudo-stuttering, that is, deliberate stuttering, as one of the main components. The program for 4-6-year old children consists of four stages: Stage 1 = desensitization, Stage 2 = modification, Stage 3 = identification and Stage 4 = generalization. The program for 2-4-year old children does not include stage 3. Speech therapist and parent(s) are the speech model for the child. They add normal dysfluencies to their speech. Later on in treatment and if necessary, children learn to recognise and alter their stuttering moments.
Social-Cognitive Behaviour TreatmentSocial Cognitive Behavioural TherapyThe social cognitive behaviour therapy contains 5 treatment phases: (1) conditioning speaking activities, (2) cognitive training focused on emotions, (3) cognitive training focused on cognitions, (4) emotional training and (5) skill training (Boey, 2010). This treatment is not directed at the speech of the children, but rather at the cognitive and emotional aspects that surround the stuttering.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
% of Syllables Stuttered (%SS)18 months post-randomisation

The %SS at 18 months post-randomisation will be determined in two video samples (at home and in the treatment session) and the average will be used. They will be conpared between the 3 programs.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Score on Quality of life questionnaireat 18-months, 2- and 5-years post-randomisation

Score on the EQ-5D-Y-proxy 2 will be compared between the 3 programs

Treatment duration (number of sessions)Through study completion, on average 9 months

Treatment duration will be calculated in number of weeks

% of Syllables Stuttered (%SS)3-, 6-, 9-, 12-months and 2- and 5-year post-randomisation

The %SS will be determined in two video samples (at home and in the treatment session) and the average will be used. They will be conpared between the 3 programs.

Severity rating of the stuttering3-, 6-, 9-, 12-, 18-months and 2- and 5-year post-randomisation

The severity rating of the stuttering will be averaged over home and treatment session and will be compared between the 3 programs

Speech attitude (Kiddy CAT) scores18-months post-randomisation

Score on the KiddyCAT will be compared between the 3 programs

Treatment duration (number of hours)Through study completion, on average 9 months

Treatment duration will be calculated in number of hours

Treatment duration (number of weeks)Through study completion, on average 9 months

Treatment duration will be calculated in number of weeks

Score on Impact of Stuttering on Parents and Preschooler (ISPP) questionnaireat 18-months post-randomisation

Score on the ISPP will be compared between the 3 programs

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Sabine Van Eerdenbrugh

🇧🇪

Antwerpen, Belgie, Belgium

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath