Research

Results from the Swedish Comprehensive stuttering program: Precision Fluency Shaping (PFSP) in comparison with data from other Clinics with similar PFSP treatment.

The participants were followed up for two years and the results were as indicated below: After two years, five of the participants were assessed as no longer stuttering. The same persons stated in the questionnaire that they experienced increased communication proficiency and a feeling of enhanced self-confidence.

In other words, according to the final results, five of the eight persons that could be contacted two years after the project (i.e. 63%) have obtained very satisfactory results. They are content with the way they speak and communicate with other people.

The dropout rate over a two-year period is approx. 20% (2 persons) which is an acceptable figure (under 33%). Three of the remaining eight persons that did less well at the course inform that they are not satisfied with their own training effort. Two of them feel a need to receive follow-up treatment. This statement illustrates that they approve of the therapy and believe that the speech training may help them.

By comparison, a Dutch survey (Franken, 1997) in which a group of especially selected stutterers of few mental problems assessed a similar treatment: 66% were satisfied with their speech pattern two years after the end of treatment.

R.L. Webster, who was the first to introduce the speech training method Precision Fluency Shaping Program (PFSP) at Hollins Communication Center in Virginia, USA, has the following report 10 months after the treatment: 70% of the participants state that the therapy has been very efficient. No one answered that they had had no effect at all; 4.5% indicated that the outcome was poor. The figures two years after the treatment are almost identical.

Comparison between these three studies indicates similar results: The efficiency of Precision Fluency Shaping Program (PFSP) with a two-year post treatment value of approximately 60-70% of satisfying treatment results.

In comparison with the Non-Avoidance Therapy, this therapy can present considerably better results both in terms of fluency and reduced stuttering problem. PFSP should therefore be considered a worthy alternative to the Non-Avoidance Treatment programme.

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