Research at Prosodi Stuttering Center: Summary of the Swedish Report: Computer-based Speech training for People who Stutters.
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The project "Computer-based Speech Training for People who
Stutters" was organised by the Swedish Handicap Institute in collaboration with
the Swedish Stammerers Association and was carried out in the period 1997-1999
financially supported by Allmänna Arvsfonden, the Swedish Ministry of Social
Affairs
The Project comprised
the translation and testing of the software program Dr. Fluency. At the same
time, the speech training method Precision Fluency Shaping Program (PFSP) as a
part of the Comprehensive
Stuttering Program (CSP) were introduced in Sweden. The Project represented a
completely new view of stuttering. Unlike earlier, when stuttering was
considered psychologically determined and where treatment such as the
Non-Avoidance Therapy (NA) and psychotherapy were used, stuttering was now
considered a physiologically determined disorder.
International research
of the last 40 years and the WHO's definition substantiated the fact that
stuttering is determined by physiological factors.
The Non-Avoidance
Treatment has been unable to produce satisfactory results of outcome of
therapy.
The only therapy that
fulfils the requirements on the results of stuttering treatment formulated by
the research team Andrews et al. in 1983 are the following: Precision Fluency
Shaping Program (PFSP) and Prolonged Speech.
The software program Dr. Fluency was translated and phonetically
adapted to the Swedish language. Subsequently, ten persons representing varying
degrees of stuttering disorders underwent an intensive speech training programme
of 17 days. The individual training was conducted by the computer in combination with speech and
voice training transfer sessions in group or individually.
During the last days of treatment, the participants practised the
overall objective of the treatment: normal, slow speech in different everyday
situations.
Results
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.
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.
In the Swedish treatment programme, seven of eight persons (i.e.
88%) state that they are satisfied with the treatment two years after
treatment.
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.
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 offered by the public health authorities.
The treatment Comprehensive Stuttering Program (CSP) including Precision Fluency
Shaping Program (PFSP) is offered by Wästlunds Logopedmottagning, Prosodi in
Örebro, Sweden.
Literature:
Alm, P. (1995)
Stamning. (Stuttering) Bokförlaget Natur och
kultur, Borås
Andrews et al. (1983) Stuttering: A Review of Research Findings and Theories circa 1982. Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders, Vol 48, s 226-246, August 1983
Franken, M-C. (1997) Evaluation of Stuttering
Therapy. Development of Tools for Measuring Speech Quality. Doktordisputats – Katholieke Universiteit Nijmegen, Holland.
Forne-Wästlund, H. (2001) Project report:
Datorbaserad talträning för personer som stammar (Computer based speech training
for people who stutters.) Hjälpmedelsinstitutet, Stockholm