title: Syllable-timed speech treatment for school-age children who stutter: a phase I trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This clinical trial determined the outcomes of a simple syllable-timed speech (STS) treatment for school-age children who stutter.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 10 children, ages 6-11 years, who stutter. Treatment involved training the children and their parents to use STS at near normal speech rates. The technique was practiced in the clinic and at home with the parents during everyday conversations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine months after commencing treatment, stuttering had decreased by >50% for half of the children, with 2 children attaining 81% and 87% reduction. Intention-to-treat analysis showed a clinically and statistically significant reduction in stuttering for the group even when a withdrawn participant was included. These results were mostly confirmed by self-reported stuttering severity ratings and were supported by improved situation avoidance and quality-of-life scores. There was considerable individual variation in response to the treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  STS shows promise as a treatment for some school-age children who stutter. As a fluency technique, it is simple to learn and simple to teach, and the children in this study appeared to enjoy the treatment. The efficacy of the treatment could likely be improved with modifications.
authors.affiliation: Australian Stuttering Research Centre, The University of Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: O'Brian
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Onslow
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Packman
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Menzies
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057194:Intention to Treat Analysis; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D011788:Quality of Life; D013068:Speech Production Measurement; D013070:Speech Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D013342:Stuttering / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome