Comparing explicit and implicit language interventions for Cantonese-speaking children with language disorders
The Efficacy of Explicit vs. Implicit Intervention Procedures for Cantonese Children With Developmental Language Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial
NA · The Hong Kong Polytechnic University · NCT06954194
This study is testing whether a direct teaching method or a more natural approach helps Cantonese-speaking children with language disorders improve their ability to use complex sentences.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 32 (estimated) |
| Ages | 5 Years to 8 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Hong Kong) |
| Trial ID | NCT06954194 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of explicit versus implicit interventions on the production of relative clauses in Cantonese-speaking children diagnosed with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). The study will utilize a randomized controlled trial design to compare two intervention methods: an explicit approach that combines Shape Coding and syntactic priming, and an implicit approach that uses only syntactic priming. Additionally, the trial will investigate how individual differences, such as procedural learning abilities and working memory, may predict the outcomes of these interventions. The researchers will conduct ten intervention sessions to assess learning progress and potential plateaus in language development.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are Cantonese-speaking children who are dominant in Cantonese, have normal IQ, and show significant language impairment as measured by standardized assessments.
Not a fit: Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder will not benefit from this study as they are excluded from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more effective language interventions for children with Developmental Language Disorder, improving their communication skills.
How similar studies have performed: While the approach of comparing explicit and implicit interventions is innovative, similar studies have shown varying degrees of success in language intervention strategies.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * being Cantonese dominant who learned Cantonese as their first language and attending Cantonese-medium primary schools. * having normal IQ and no hearing impairment. * scoring at least -1.25 SD below the mean in any two subtests of the Hong Kong Cantonese Oral Language Assessment Scale (a standardized language assessment tool for Hong Kong Cantonese-speaking children). Exclusion Criteria: * Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Where this trial is running
Hong Kong
- Speech and Language Sciences Laboratory (SLS Lab) — Hong Kong, Hong Kong (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Caicai Zhang, PhD — The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Study coordinator: Tracy Tang
- Email: tracy-wh.tang@polyu.edu.hk
- Phone: 852 34008541
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Developmental Language Disorder, Randomized Controlled Trial, Explicit intervention, Implicit intervention, Procedural circuit Deficit Hypothesis, Individual difference, Relative clause, Syntactic priming