Using Syllabic Speech Technique to Decline Stuttering Severity in Persian-speaking School-age Children With Stuttering

Peyman Zamani; Neda Tahmasebi; Mohammad Soroush Mehdifard; Saeed Hesam

doi:10.18502/jmr.v15i2.7731

Peyman Zamani Department of Speech Therapy, Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
Neda Tahmasebi Hearing Research Center, Clinical Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
Mohammad Soroush Mehdifard Department of Speech Therapy, Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
Saeed Hesam Hearing Research Center, Clinical Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jmr.v15i2.7731

Keywords: Stuttering, Syllabic speech, School-age children

Abstract

Introduction: Studies have shown that Syllable Speech Technique (SST) can be a useful and practical way to achieve stutter-free speech for Children With Stuttering (CWS). In this preliminary study, the use of SST in Persian-speaking school-age CWS was investigated.

Materials and Methods: Ten 8- to 11-year-old students with stuttering were entered in the single-group pretest-posttest study as participants. Their speech fluency has been enhanced using SST accompanied by verbal encouragement for stutter-free speech. The percentage of stuttered syllables, stuttering severity, and communication attitude as outcome measures were evaluated in three time points: before the intervention (T0), after the intervention (T1), and one month after the intervention (T2).

Results: The children showed significantly better scores on all outcome measures at T1 (P≤0.004) and T2 (P≤0.005) compared with T0. There was no significant difference between T1 and T2 (P≥0.026).

Conclusion: The reported benefits of SST in stuttering reduction and speech-related anxiety- relieving of Persian-speaking school-age CWS confirms the feasibility and usefulness of this technique.