Expiratory Muscle Strength Training for Hypernasal Speech in Children
Velopharyngeal Insufficiency, Velopharyngeal Incompetence Due to Cleft Palate, Inadequate Velopharyngeal Closure
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Velopharyngeal Insufficiency focused on measuring Cleft Palate, Speech Intelligibility
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Pittsburgh weighted speech scores of 3 or greater
- Ages 5-17 years
Exclusion Criteria:
- Previous speech surgery (e.g. palatoplasty or pharyngeal flap)
- Speech surgery scheduled within the next 56 days
- Unable or unwilling to perform the tests and exercises outlined in the study
Sites / Locations
- UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Arm 4
Experimental
No Intervention
Experimental
Experimental
Expiratory Muscle Strength Training + No Maintenance Training
No Exercises
Expiratory Muscle Strength Training + Maintenance Training
Expiratory Muscle Strength Training
These participants were initially randomized to complete 6-8 weeks of exercises with EMST-150. They had improvement in their speech score of 2 points or more and were randomized to complete 6 months of no maintenance training.
These participants were initially randomized to 6-8 weeks of no exercises. They ended active study participation after the initial 6-8 weeks of no exercises. They were not eligible to be randomized to maintenance training or no maintenance training.
These participants were initially randomized to complete 6-8 weeks of exercises with EMST-150. They had improvement in their speech score of 2 points or more and were randomized to complete 6 months of maintenance training.
These participants were initially randomized to complete 6-8 weeks of exercises with EMST-150. They did not have improvement in their speech score of 2 points or more and ended active study participation after the initial 6-8 weeks of exercises.