Ultrasound therapy for children with speech sound disorders
Communication in Children With or Without Biomedical Conditions: Speech and Language Profile, Related Outcomes and Articulation Treatment With Ultrasound
This study is testing if using ultrasound to help kids with speech sound disorders, especially those with brain tumors or cleft palates, can improve their speech by showing them how to move their tongues correctly.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 5 Years to 12 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | The University of Hong Kong Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Hong Kong) |
| Trial ID | NCT06831396 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the effectiveness of ultrasound-aided articulation therapy for children with speech sound disorders, specifically targeting those with brain tumors or cleft palates. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a high or low treatment intensity group, with the aim of assessing how ultrasound visualization of tongue movements can aid in correcting articulation errors. The study will include children who speak Cantonese and will control for variables such as age and gender. A waitlist control group will also be included for comparison.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are children with brain tumors or cleft palates who have articulation errors and speak Cantonese.
Not a fit: Patients with syndromes, significant language disorders, or other biomedical conditions like cerebral palsy or autism may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could significantly improve speech articulation in children with specific speech sound disorders.
How similar studies have performed: While the use of ultrasound in speech therapy is a novel approach, similar studies have shown promise in improving articulation in children.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Primary diagnosis of speech sound disorder with errors on lingual target sounds * Probe accuracy \<70% on the primary target sound at baseline * Cantonese as the first language * Hearing thresholds ≤25 dB in at least one ear, with no hearing loss exceeding 50 dB in the other ear * No syndromes or obvious dysmorphic features * No language disorders associated with biomedical conditions (e.g., cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder) * No oronasal fistula identified on oral examination or diagnosed velopharyngeal insufficiency Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of syndromes or dysmorphic features * Language disorder associated with biomedical conditions (e.g., cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder) * Hearing thresholds \>25 dB in one ear and \>50 dB in the other ear Planned surgical intervention during the study period
Where this trial is running
Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Children's Hospital and Child Assessment Centre of The Duchess of Kent Children's Hospital — Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Oi Yan Yoyo Yiu
- Email: h0501126@connect.hku.hk
- Phone: 5741 3431
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.