Abstract
Introduction
A feasibility study of The Fluency Trust Residential Course (FTRC) for adolescents who stutter was conducted. The study aimed to measure key areas of a feasibility trial, for example, recruitment and retention, outcome measure completion, outcome measure reliability, and acceptability of the intervention to inform future research into the FTRC.
Methods
Quantitative and qualitative methods were used. Participants were 23 adolescents (12–17 years), 23 parents and 2 Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) from the FTRC. Data collection included: outcome measure collection via a pre-test post-test quasi-experimental design (including two baseline measures), intervention fidelity checklists, semi-structured interviews with adolescents to explore acceptability of the intervention and semi-structured interviews with SLPs to explore their experiences of research participation and views on a future trial.
Results
Recruitment, retention and outcome measure completion levels were all 100%. Intervention fidelity was 95% and there were no adverse events. Outcome measures showed good test- re-test reliability: Progress Questionnaire Child Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) = 0.87 (95% CI = 0.69–0.94 sig< 0.001) and Progress Questionnaire Parent ICC = 0.88 (95% CI = 0.70–0.95 sig< 0.001). Descriptive statistics showed that group medians and means of all outcome measures shifted in a positive direction between pre and post-tests (9 weeks follow-up). Twenty-five percent of young people showed changes on the Progress Questionnaire Child that were above the minimal important difference. Seventy-five percent of parents showed changes on the Progress Questionnaire Parent that were above the minimal important difference. Acceptability of the intervention by adolescents was high. SLPs reported participation was manageable and they were pleased to be part of the research.
Conclusion
Quantitative and qualitative data suggest that a future definitive trial of the FTRC is indicated after additional development work and feasibility testing. Recommendations for further research are included.
A feasibility study of The Fluency Trust Residential Course (FTRC) for adolescents who stutter was conducted. The study aimed to measure key areas of a feasibility trial, for example, recruitment and retention, outcome measure completion, outcome measure reliability, and acceptability of the intervention to inform future research into the FTRC.
Methods
Quantitative and qualitative methods were used. Participants were 23 adolescents (12–17 years), 23 parents and 2 Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) from the FTRC. Data collection included: outcome measure collection via a pre-test post-test quasi-experimental design (including two baseline measures), intervention fidelity checklists, semi-structured interviews with adolescents to explore acceptability of the intervention and semi-structured interviews with SLPs to explore their experiences of research participation and views on a future trial.
Results
Recruitment, retention and outcome measure completion levels were all 100%. Intervention fidelity was 95% and there were no adverse events. Outcome measures showed good test- re-test reliability: Progress Questionnaire Child Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) = 0.87 (95% CI = 0.69–0.94 sig< 0.001) and Progress Questionnaire Parent ICC = 0.88 (95% CI = 0.70–0.95 sig< 0.001). Descriptive statistics showed that group medians and means of all outcome measures shifted in a positive direction between pre and post-tests (9 weeks follow-up). Twenty-five percent of young people showed changes on the Progress Questionnaire Child that were above the minimal important difference. Seventy-five percent of parents showed changes on the Progress Questionnaire Parent that were above the minimal important difference. Acceptability of the intervention by adolescents was high. SLPs reported participation was manageable and they were pleased to be part of the research.
Conclusion
Quantitative and qualitative data suggest that a future definitive trial of the FTRC is indicated after additional development work and feasibility testing. Recommendations for further research are included.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 106181 |
| Journal | Journal of Communication Disorders |
| Volume | 95 |
| Early online date | 17 Jan 2022 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 17 Jan 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Doctor Yvonne Wren is Director of Bristol Speech and Language Therapy Research Unit and Chair of the Child Speech Committee of the International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics. Following a ten-year clinical career working across child and adult client groups, Yvonne embarked on a research career with a particular interest in speech sound disorder. She has obtained a fellowship from the National Institute of Health Research to conduct speech and language therapy research. She founded ChildSpeech, an independent speech and language therapy service, and is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Bristol Dental School.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021
Keywords
- Stutter
- Adolescents
- Group therapy
- Intensive
- Residential