Improving speech clarity in children with cerebral palsy

Enhancing efficacy of speech modification strategies for pediatric dysarthria

NIH-funded research Northeastern University · NIH-10813147

This study is looking at different ways to help children with dysarthria, a speech problem often found in kids with cerebral palsy, communicate more clearly and naturally, so they can express themselves better.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNortheastern University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-10813147 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing communication for children with dysarthria, a speech disorder often seen in those with cerebral palsy. It aims to compare the effectiveness of different speech modification strategies, such as using emphatic stress, loud speech, and slow speech rates, to determine which methods improve speech intelligibility and naturalness. By understanding how these strategies work, the research seeks to provide tailored interventions that can better meet the diverse needs of children with varying communication abilities. The study will involve children aged 0-11 years and will assess their speech performance using these different approaches.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years diagnosed with dysarthria, particularly those with cerebral palsy.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have dysarthria or those outside the age range of 0-11 years may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective communication strategies for children with dysarthria, improving their ability to express themselves and participate socially.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using speech modification strategies for improving intelligibility in children with speech disorders, but this specific approach is novel.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.