Understanding why some children outgrow stuttering while others do not

Developmental Trajectories to Stuttering Persistence and Recovery

Observational Michigan State University · NCT06578416

This study looks at why some kids aged 3-6 outgrow stuttering while others don’t by testing their speech and language skills through fun activities over several years.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment120 (estimated)
Ages3 Years to 6 Years
SexAll
SponsorMichigan State University Academic / other
Locations1 site (East Lansing, Michigan)
Trial IDNCT06578416 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This longitudinal research aims to investigate the developmental aspects of stuttering in children aged 3-6 years. The study will assess both children who stutter and those who do not, utilizing standardized assessments and child-friendly experiments to evaluate speech and language abilities. Participants will engage in various tasks, including EEG recordings while listening to sounds and virtual reality scenarios that simulate talking situations. Data will be collected over multiple visits spanning up to five years, with parents providing additional information through questionnaires and surveys.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include children aged 3-6 years who either stutter or do not stutter and meet specific eligibility criteria.

Not a fit: Patients with neurological diseases, intellectual impairments, or those on medications affecting performance may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to better understanding and interventions for children who stutter.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have explored aspects of stuttering, but this specific longitudinal approach with EEG and VR is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria for controls:

* English as first/primary language
* No history of neurological disease
* Normal or corrected visual acuity
* No medications expected to affect performance
* No intellectual impairment, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD
* Age-appropriate scores on speech and language assessment battery
* Pass hearing screening at 20 dB at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000, bilaterally

Inclusion Criteria for children who stutter:

* English as first/primary language
* No history of neurological disease
* Normal or corrected visual acuity
* No medications expected to affect performance
* No intellectual impairment or ASD Scores on speech and language assessments indicating stuttering, phonological (speech sound), or language disorders
* Pass hearing screening at 20 dB at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000, bilaterally

Where this trial is running

East Lansing, Michigan

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions StutteringStuttering, ChildhoodStuttering, Developmental
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 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.