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Interventions for children and adolescence who stutter : A systematic review, meta-analysis, and evidence map
Brignell, Amanda Krahe, Michelle Downes, Martin Kefalianos, Elaina Reilly, Sheena Morgan, Angela
Brignell, Amanda
Krahe, Michelle
Downes, Martin
Kefalianos, Elaina
Reilly, Sheena
Morgan, Angela
Abstract
Purpose
This systematic review critically appraises and maps the evidence for stuttering interventions in childhood and adolescence. We examine the effectiveness of speech-focused treatments, the efficacy of alternative treatment delivery methods and identify gaps in the research evidence.
Methods
Nine electronic databases and three clinical trial registries were searched for systematic reviews, randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and studies that applied an intervention with children (2–18 years) who stutter. Pharmacological interventions were excluded. Primary outcomes were a measure of stuttering severity and quality assessments were conducted on all included studies.
Results
Eight RCTs met inclusion criteria and were analysed. Intervention approaches included direct (i.e. Lidcombe Program; LP) and indirect treatments (e.g. Demands and Capacities Model; DCM). All studies had moderate risk of bias. Treatment delivery methods included individual face-to-face, telehealth and group-based therapy. Both LP and DCM approaches were effective in reducing stuttering in preschool aged children. LP had the highest level of evidence (pooled effect size=-3.8, CI -7.3 to -0.3 for LP). There was no high-level evidence for interventions with school-aged children or adolescents. Alternative methods of delivery were as effective as individual face-to-face intervention.
Conclusion
The findings of this systematic review and evidence mapping are useful for clinicians, researchers and service providers seeking to understand the existing research to support the advancement of interventions for children and adolescence who stutter. Findings could be used to inform further research and support clinical decision-making.
Keywords
stuttering, child, adolescent, therapeutics, systematic review
Date
2021
Type
Journal article
Journal
Journal of Fluency Disorders
Book
Volume
70
Issue
Page Range
1-21
Article Number
Article 105843
ACU Department
School of Allied Health
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled