Feasibility of digital therapy for child language impairment v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Feasibility investigation of a digital vocabulary intervention for primary school children with a language impairment: preparation for a randomised controlled trial.
IRAS ID
236829
Contact name
Rafiah Badat
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 21 days
Research summary
What is the acceptability of an iPad supported vocabulary intervention for school-aged children with a language impairment and the feasibility of a definitive trial to test its efficacy?
Of the almost half a million primary school children in England with a prevailing language or learning impairment, between 25-50% may struggle with finding the words to express themselves leading to a one in three chance of developing a wellbeing disorder.
One established intervention to support word learning is mind-mapping where vocabulary is strengthened by visually connecting related information. Mind-mapping has been shown empirically to produce appreciable gains in word skills within and between children compared to pre-intervention and dictionary learning. However with the conventional approach, children are dependent on adults for vocabulary information leading to passivity. The introduction of iPads allowing children to take a lead in searching, recording and sharing relevant media during the word learning process could promote independent management of the language impairment which may in turn improve wellbeing.
Given the novelty of the proposed digital intervention, a feasibility study is required prior to conducting a definitive randomised control trial, in order to:
1. Determine acceptability of a digital vocabulary intervention using child and support staff feedback questionnaires and analysis of participation rates.
2. Gain information on vocabulary and well being outcome measures with the former guiding sample size estimates for a definitive randomised controlled trial.This study, funded by the Wellcome Trust’s Institutional Strategic Support Fund, will involve children aged 7-8 years and on existing St George's Trust Speech and Language Therapy caseloads accessing either digital or standard non-digital hourly vocabulary intervention once a week at their school for four weeks. The intervention will be delivered by a qualified Speech and Language Therapist with support of a member of the school teaching staff.
REC name
Wales REC 4
REC reference
17/WA/0353
Date of REC Opinion
9 Nov 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion