Ultrasound Visual Feedback for Young Children with Speech Apraxia
Official title: Feasibility and Preliminary Effects of a Therapeutic Approach Using Ultrasound Visual Biofeedback in Children With AFI: a Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.
Run by Santa Catarina Federal University · NCT07087249 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This pilot study tests whether using real-time ultrasound tongue imaging during therapy helps children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech improve articulation more than usual care.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 5 Years to 12 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Santa Catarina Federal University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Florianópolis, Santa Catarina) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 1, 2026 |
| Main results expected | October 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | January 20, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | October 27, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07087249 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are monolingual Brazilian Portuguese-speaking children aged 5–12 with a confirmed CAS diagnosis and normal hearing, cognition, and receptive language.
✕Probably not a fit
Children with hearing loss, other neurological or anatomical conditions affecting speech, or bilingual exposure at home may not benefit from this approach.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a small randomized pilot trial in children with CAS to see if adding ultrasound visual biofeedback to therapy is feasible and whether it shows promising signals of benefit. Participants aged 5–12 will be assigned to ultrasound-assisted therapy or a waitlist control for six weeks, with assessments before, after, and one month later. The study uses both quantitative measures and qualitative feedback to gauge feasibility, treatment fidelity, and potential effects on articulatory precision, prosody, and speech motor planning. Ultrasound imaging provides real-time visualization of tongue movements to guide practice with target sounds. Data will inform parameters for a larger, definitive trial if feasible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help children learn tongue placements more accurately, potentially improving speech clarity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research in other populations has shown ultrasound biofeedback can aid speech motor learning, but evidence in CAS remains early and exploratory.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Clinical diagnosis of Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) confirmed by assessment; Age between 5 and 12 years; Monolingual speakers of Brazilian Portuguese; Normal auditory, cognitive, and receptive language skills; Normal results on orofacial screenings. Exclusion criteria: Hearing impairment or auditory processing disorders; Neurological, intellectual, or anatomical conditions affecting speech (e.g., cleft palate, cerebral palsy, dysarthria); Diagnosis of global motor development disorders; Bilingual speakers or individuals exposed to other languages at home.
Where it's running
-
Prof. Dr. Aline Mara de Oliveira
Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Aline Oliveira, Dr
- Email: aline.mara.oliveira@ufsc.br
- Phone: +447886206892
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Speech therapy for kids with rare genetic conditions and childhood apraxia of speech
This study tests whether 4 weeks of targeted speech therapy can improve speech accuracy in children with childhood apraxia of speech and rare genetic conditions, using one treatment approach per child.
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DTTC-Connect: a new approach to help kids with childhood apraxia of speech communicate in phrases
A two-month, motor-based therapy called DTTC-Connect is being tested to see if it helps children with childhood apraxia of speech say phrases more clearly.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.