Treatment for Cantonese speakers with childhood speech difficulties
Treatment of Cantonese Speakers With Childhood Apraxia of Speech
This study tests a new speech therapy for Cantonese-English bilingual kids with speech difficulties to see if it helps them speak more clearly.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 4 (estimated) |
| Ages | 3 Years to 11 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Kowloon) |
| Trial ID | NCT06385470 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the effectiveness of the Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) treatment for Cantonese-English bilingual children diagnosed with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). Four children will be recruited and randomly assigned to receive either the English or Cantonese version of DTTC in two separate 6-week treatment phases, with assessments conducted before, during, and after treatment. The children's speech will be evaluated for accuracy in phonemes, stress, and tone, using growth curve analysis to assess treatment outcomes.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Cantonese-English bilingual children aged 3 to 11 years diagnosed with childhood apraxia of speech.
Not a fit: Patients with concomitant developmental disorders or structural abnormalities affecting speech may not benefit from this treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly improve speech production in bilingual children with childhood apraxia of speech.
How similar studies have performed: While this specific approach is novel for Cantonese speakers, similar interventions have shown promise in other language contexts.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * (1) 3;0 - 11;11 (years;months) years of age at treatment commencement; * (2) speak both Cantonese and English: One caregiver one language for at least one year; speaking different languages at home versus school; and/or speak different languages at different times of day; * (3) no concomitant developmental disorders including autism spectrum disorder; * (4) no structural abnormalities that affect speech, such as cleft lip and/or palate; * (5) no uncorrected vision impairment; and * (6) no hearing loss; * (7) CAS diagnosis confirmed by the research team based on the available diagnostic criteria in Cantonese speakers, which will be described in the next section Exclusion Criteria: -
Where this trial is running
Kowloon
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University — Kowloon, Hong Kong (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Min Ney Wong, PhD — Study Principal Investigator
- Study coordinator: Eddy Wong, PhD
- Email: eddy-ch.wong@connect.polyu.hk
- Phone: (852) 9834 0825
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.