Self-Modelling as a Relapse Intervention Following Speech-Restructuring Treatment for Stuttering

• Published in: International journal of language & communication disorders Vol. 44; no. 5; pp. 587 - 599
• Main Authors: Cream, Angela, O'Brian, Sue, Onslow, Mark, Packman, Ann, Menzies, Ross
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Informa Healthcare 01.01.2009
• Subjects: Adult; Adults; Aged; Attitude to Health; Clinics; Effect Size; Female; Humans; Intervention; Male; Middle Aged; Modeling (Psychology); Outcomes of Treatment; Patient Compliance; Phonemes; Recurrence; Self-Assessment; Severity (of Disability); Severity of Illness Index; Speech Production Measurement - methods; Speech Therapy; Speech Therapy - methods; Stuttering; Stuttering - therapy; Treatment Outcome; Video Technology
• ISSN: 1368-2822; 1460-6984
• DOI: 10.1080/13682820802256973

Background: Speech restructuring is an efficacious method for the alleviation of stuttered speech. However, post-treatment relapse is common. Aims: To investigate whether the use of video self-modelling using restructured stutter-free speech reduces stuttering in adults who had learnt a speech-restructuring technique and subsequently relapsed. Methods & Procedures: Participants were twelve adults who had previously had speech-restructuring treatment for stuttering and relapsed. They were video recorded for 1 hour within the clinic, practising their speech-restructuring technique. The videos were then edited to remove all observable stuttering. Participants then viewed the resulting video of themselves using restructured stutter-free speech each day for 1 month and were instructed to speak as they did on the video. Beyond-clinic speech samples and self-report severity data were collected before and after the intervention. Outcomes & Results: Very large effect sizes were found. The mean per cent syllables stuttered was 7.7 pre-intervention and 2.3 post-intervention. For all but one participant there was a reduction in stuttering from pre-intervention to post-intervention. These results were verified with self-report data. Speech naturalness was not compromised by the video self-modelling procedure. Conclusion & Implications: Video self-modelling as a relapse management tool does not involve excessive time expenditure by the clinician or the client. The study indicates video self-modelling is potentially useful for managing relapse after speech-restructuring treatment for stuttering, and in some cases may be a stand-alone procedure to manage relapse. Phase II and III trials are warranted to determine the size and duration of the effect. It is suggested video self-modelling could also be included in a relapse management plan. (Contains 2 figures.)