Treatment of cleft palate speech using modified electropalatography
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Treatment of cleft palate speech using a modified electropalatography (EPG) therapeutic technique: a case series
IRAS ID
224615
Contact name
Kathryn Patrick
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Sheffield
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Title: Treatment of cleft palate speech using a modified electropalatography (EPG) therapeutic technique: a case series.\n\nElectropalatography (EPG) is a therapeutic technique used by speech and language therapists to treat school-aged children and adults with on-going difficulties with speech sound production, such as difficulty pronouncing the “s” and “t” sounds in the word “sit”. EPG is a computer-based intervention. A special dental plate is fitted to the roof of the patient’s mouth (hard palate). The plate contains sensors that detect tongue / hard palate contact. When the patient speaks, a computer screen shows where the tongue touches the palate. The visual feedback is used to help patients learn normal tongue placement for speech sounds they find difficult.\n \nThe usefulness of EPG therapy for patients with cleft palate and speech difficulties has been previously considered through single case and small group studies. Most patients are able to improve their speech during EPG therapy. However, many individuals experience difficulty using newly acquired speech sounds in their everyday speech all of the time, leading to the conclusion that further development of the EPG therapeutic technique is needed.\n\nThis case series will examine patients’ response to an EPG therapeutic technique which has been modified using usage-based phonology theory. Usage-based phonology is a recent theory of how people learn to speak. The modified EPG technique assists in the use of remediated speech sounds in everyday talking by focusing on words and sentences, rather than single sounds. Five to ten patients aged 7 years and over with persistent speech difficulties following cleft palate surgery will be treated at a single hospital by a single speech therapist. Each patient’s speech will be assessed on three occasions prior to intervention, at regular intervals during intervention, at the end of intervention, then three months following completion of treatment. \n
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NW/0235
Date of REC Opinion
25 May 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion