Effects of the presence of a dog on the psychic content expression of a stuttering person: case report. / Efeitos da presença do cão na expressão de conteúdos psíquicos de um sujeito que gagueja: estudo de caso.

Stuttering has negative impacts on an individual's quality of life and is associated with higher risk of development of social and psychological problems. From this perspective, despite the diversity of etiological hypotheses for and treatments of stuttering, the interface between psychology and speech therapy in the approach to the biopsychic aspects involved in this clinical scenario stands out. Recent research indicates that the presence, specifically of dogs, can assist patients in symbolic elaboration of psychic content. From this perspective, the aim of this study is evaluate the effects of a dog's presence on the expression of the psychic content of a stuttering person, with the hypothesis that framing may reduce symptoms. The subject is M., female, 45 years old, married, without children, hairdressing assistant, with elementary school completed. She underwent the process of speech therapy in presence of a dog. A semidirected interview was conducted after this process. A co-therapist dog of Golden Retriever breed participated in all sessions. The relevant subjective content observed in the setting during the speech therapy process, which seems to have been mobilized by the framework established by the interaction among the therapist, the patient, and the dog, seems to demonstrate an association with the manifestation of disfluencies. The dog made physical contact with, supported, motivated and welcomed the subject in situations in which psychic conflicts were demonstrated. This clinical case study indicates that the dog's presence and interaction framework favored the reduction of stuttering symptoms, promoting welcoming environment that enabled the subject's psyche-soma integration.

A gagueira gera impactos negativos na qualidade de vida dos sujeitos e está associada a maior risco de desenvolvimento de problemas sociais e psíquicos. Nessa perspectiva, apesar da diversidade das hipóteses etiológicas e dos tratamentos da gagueira, destaca-se a interface entre psicologia e fonoaudiologia na abordagem dos aspectos bio-psíquicos envolvidos nesse quadro clínico. Pesquisas recentes indicam que a presença, especificamente de cães, pode auxiliar o paciente na elaboração simbólica de conteúdos psíquicos. Nessa perspectiva, o objetivo desse estudo é avaliar os efeitos da presença do cão na expressão de conteúdos psíquicos de um sujeito que gagueja, com a hipótese de que o enquadre pode reduzir o sintoma. O sujeito é M., sexo feminino, 45 anos, casada, sem filhos, cursou ensino fundamental completo e de auxiliar de cabeleireira. Passou pelo processo de terapia fonoaudiológica na presença do cão. Foi realizada uma entrevista semi-dirigida após o processo. Um cão coterapeuta, da raça Golden Retriever, participou de todas as sessões. Alguns conteúdos subjetivos relevantes observados no setting no decorrer do processo terapêutico fonoaudiológico, os quais parecem ter sido mobilizados pelo enquadre estabelecido pela interação entre terapeuta-paciente-cão, parecem demonstrar associação com a manifestação das disfluências. O cão fez contato físico, deu suporte, motivou e acolheu o sujeito em situações de demonstração de conflitos psíquicos. Assim, este estudo de caso clínico indica que o enquadre da presença e interação do cão favoreceu a redução do sintoma da gagueira, promovendo ambiente acolhedor possibilitando a integração psique-soma do sujeito.

Clinical Trial for Stuttering Treatment: pilot study about dog participation in the therapy session. / Ensaio Clínico de Tratamento da Gagueira: estudo piloto com variável monitorada, participação do cão na sessão de terapia.

PURPOSE: To verify the effect of dog intervention on the regular session of speech therapy for developmental stuttering in adults. METHODS: The study involved young adults and adults with developmental stuttering. The study sample was composed of eight participants, six males and two females, ranging in age from 16 to 45 years. Participants were divided into two groups: G1 - those who underwent treatment for stuttering with the presence of a dog-therapist in the therapy room and G2 - those who underwent treatment for stuttering without the presence of the dog therapist. We included a control group, G3, composed of fluent participants, matched in age and sex to G1 and G2 to control the natural variability of speech fluency. RESULTS: Comparative results between the groups indicated that the group that performed the treatment without the presence of the dog achieved better performance, evolution and efficacy rates. CONCLUSION: for the population in this study, the dog intervention on speech therapy did not improve treatment.

OBJETIVO: Verificar o efeito da intervenção do cão na sessão regular de terapia fonoaudiológica para a gagueira do desenvolvimento em jovens adultos. MÉTODO: Foram selecionados jovens adultos e adultos com diagnóstico de gagueira do desenvolvimento. Concluíram o estudo oito participantes, seis do sexo masculino e dois do sexo feminino, com idades variando entre 16 e 45 anos. Os participantes foram divididos em dois grupos: G1 ­ que realizou o tratamento para gagueira com a presença de um cão terapeuta em sala de terapia e G2 ­ que realizou o tratamento para gagueira sem a presença do cão terapeuta. Foi incluído um grupo controle, G3 ­ composto por participantes fluentes, pareado em idade e sexo ao G1 e G2, para controle da variabilidade natural da fluência da fala. RESULTADOS: A análise comparativa entre os grupos indicou que o grupo que realizou o tratamento sem a presença do cão alcançou melhores índices de performance, evolução e eficácia. CONCLUSÃO: Para a população pesquisada neste estudo, não foi observado efeito da intervenção do cão na terapia fonoaudiológica.

Frequency of speech disruptions in Parkinson's Disease and developmental stuttering: A comparison among speech tasks.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the frequency of speech disruptions across different speech tasks, comparing the performance of individuals with Parkinson's Disease (PD) and DS. METHOD: Participants were 20 people with PD, 20 people with DS and 40 fluent individuals. Speech samples were recorded during monologue speech, choral and solo oral reading. Transcriptions of 200 fluent syllables were performed to identify stuttering-like disfluencies (SLDs) and other disfluencies (ODs). RESULTS: People with PD presented significantly less speech disruptions when compared to people with DS, but significantly more speech disruptions than the control group. Stuttering-like disfluencies ocurred more frequently during monologue speech and solo oral reading for both PD and DS, whereas the control group did not present difference between these tasks. CONCLUSION: The stuttering pattern presented by people with PD is different from what is usually described as being neurogenic stuttering.

Speech fluency profile on different tasks for individuals with Parkinson's disease. / Perfil da fluência da fala em diferentes tarefas para indivíduos com Doença de Parkinson.

PURPOSE: To characterize the speech fluency profile of patients with Parkinson's disease. METHODS: Study participants were 40 individuals of both genders aged 40 to 80 years divided into 2 groups: Research Group - RG (20 individuals with diagnosis of Parkinson's disease) and Control Group - CG (20 individuals with no communication or neurological disorders). For all of the participants, three speech samples involving different tasks were collected: monologue, individual reading, and automatic speech. RESULTS: The RG presented a significant larger number of speech disruptions, both stuttering-like and typical dysfluencies, and higher percentage of speech discontinuity in the monologue and individual reading tasks compared with the CG. Both groups presented reduced number of speech disruptions (stuttering-like and typical dysfluencies) in the automatic speech task; the groups presented similar performance in this task. Regarding speech rate, individuals in the RG presented lower number of words and syllables per minute compared with those in the CG in all speech tasks. CONCLUSION: Participants of the RG presented altered parameters of speech fluency compared with those of the CG; however, this change in fluency cannot be considered a stuttering disorder.

Comparison between the speech performance of fluent speakers and individuals who stutter. / Comparação da performance de fala em indivíduos gagos e fluentes.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the speech performance of fluent speakers and individuals who stutter during spontaneous speech, automatic speech, and singing. METHODS: The study sample was composed of 34 adults, 17 individuals who stutter and 17 fluent controls, matched for gender and age. The speech performance of participants was compared by means of three tasks: monologue, automatic speech, and singing. The following aspects were assessed: total number of common disruptions and total number of stuttering-like disruptions. RESULTS: Statistically significant difference was observed only for the monologue task in both intra- and inter-group comparisons. CONCLUSION: The outcomes of this study indicate that tasks of higher motor and melodic complexities, such as the monologue task, negatively affect the speech fluency of both fluent speakers and individuals who stutter.

Perfil da fluência da fala em diferentes tarefas para indivíduos com Doença de Parkinson / Speech fluency profile on different tasks for individuals with Parkinson's disease

RESUMO Objetivo Caracterizar o perfil da fluência da fala de indivíduos com Doença de Parkinson em diferentes tarefas de fala. Método Participaram do estudo 40 indivíduos, de 40 a 80 anos de idade, de ambos os gêneros, divididos em 2 grupos: GP (grupo pesquisa - 20 indivíduos com diagnóstico de Doença de Parkinson); GC (grupo controle - 20 indivíduos sem qualquer alteração de comunicação e/ou neurológica). Para todos os participantes, foram coletadas três amostras de fala envolvendo diferentes tarefas: monólogo, leitura individual e fala automática. Resultados O GP apresentou um número significativamente maior de rupturas, tanto comuns quanto gagas, e maiores porcentagens de descontinuidade de fala e disfluências gagas nas tarefas de monólogo e leitura quando comparado ao GC. Nas tarefas de fala automática, ambos os grupos apresentaram número reduzido de rupturas comuns e gagas, não apresentando diferença significante entre os grupos para esta tarefa. Em relação à velocidade de fala, tanto em palavras quanto em sílabas por minuto, os indivíduos com Doença de Parkinson apresentaram velocidade reduzida em relação ao grupo controle em todas as tarefas de fala. Conclusão O GP apresentou alteração em todos os parâmetros da fluência avaliados no presente estudo quando comparado ao grupo controle, porém esta alteração da fluência não se configura como um quadro de gagueira.

ABSTRACT Purpose To characterize the speech fluency profile of patients with Parkinson's disease. Methods Study participants were 40 individuals of both genders aged 40 to 80 years divided into 2 groups: Research Group - RG (20 individuals with diagnosis of Parkinson's disease) and Control Group - CG (20 individuals with no communication or neurological disorders). For all of the participants, three speech samples involving different tasks were collected: monologue, individual reading, and automatic speech. Results The RG presented a significant larger number of speech disruptions, both stuttering-like and typical dysfluencies, and higher percentage of speech discontinuity in the monologue and individual reading tasks compared with the CG. Both groups presented reduced number of speech disruptions (stuttering-like and typical dysfluencies) in the automatic speech task; the groups presented similar performance in this task. Regarding speech rate, individuals in the RG presented lower number of words and syllables per minute compared with those in the CG in all speech tasks. Conclusion Participants of the RG presented altered parameters of speech fluency compared with those of the CG; however, this change in fluency cannot be considered a stuttering disorder.

Comparação da performance de fala em indivíduos gagos e fluentes / Comparison between the speech performance of fluent speakers and individuals who stutter

RESUMO Objetivo O objetivo do estudo foi comparar a performance de fala do indivíduo com gagueira e do indivíduo fluente em tarefa de fala espontânea, tarefa de fala automática e a tarefa de canto. Método Participaram deste estudo 34 adultos, 17 com gagueira e 17 fluentes, pareados por gênero e idade. O estudo comparou o desempenho dos participantes em três tarefas de fala: monólogo, fala automática e canto. Foi analisado o número total de rupturas comuns e gagas. Resultados A tarefa de monólogo foi a única que apresentou diferenças estatisticamente significativas, tanto nas comparações intragrupos quanto nas comparações intergrupos. Conclusão O estudo mostrou que tarefas de maior complexidade motora e melódica, como a tarefa de monólogo, prejudica a fluência da fala, tanto em indivíduos com gagueira quanto em indivíduos fluentes.

ABSTRACT Purpose The aim of this study was to compare the speech performance of fluent speakers and individuals who stutter during spontaneous speech, automatic speech, and singing. Methods The study sample was composed of 34 adults, 17 individuals who stutter and 17 fluent controls, matched for gender and age. The speech performance of participants was compared by means of three tasks: monologue, automatic speech, and singing. The following aspects were assessed: total number of common disruptions and total number of stuttering-like disruptions. Results Statistically significant difference was observed only for the monologue task in both intra- and inter-group comparisons. Conclusion The outcomes of this study indicate that tasks of higher motor and melodic complexities, such as the monologue task, negatively affect the speech fluency of both fluent speakers and individuals who stutter.

Randomized clinical trial: the use of SpeechEasy® in stuttering treatment.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefit of devices delivering altered auditory feedback (AAF) as a therapeutic alternative for those who stutter. AIMS: The effectiveness of a device delivering AAF (SpeechEasy®) was compared with behavioural techniques in the treatment of stuttering in a randomized clinical trial. METHODS & PROCEDURES: Two groups of adults who stutter participated: group 1 consisted of 10 men and one woman aged 21-42 years (mean = 30.0). Group 2 consisted of six men and one woman aged 20-50 years (mean = 35.6). Participants in group 1 were fit with a SpeechEasy® device and were not given any additional training (i.e., supplementary fluency enhancing techniques). Participants used the device daily for 6 months. Participants in group 2 received treatment in the form of a 12-week fluency promotion protocol with techniques based on both fluency shaping and stuttering modification. OUTCOMES & RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences (p > .05) between groups in participants' stuttered syllables following treatment. That is, both therapeutic protocols achieved approximately 40% reduction in number of stuttered syllables from baseline measures, with no significant relapse after 3 or 6 months post-treatment. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: The results suggest that the SpeechEasy® device can be a viable option for the treatment of stuttering.

Comparison of different speech tasks among adults who stutter and adults who do not stutter.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we compared the performance of both fluent speakers and people who stutter in three different speaking situations: monologue speech, oral reading and choral reading. This study follows the assumption that the neuromotor control of speech can be influenced by external auditory stimuli in both speakers who stutter and speakers who do not stutter. METHOD: Seventeen adults who stutter and seventeen adults who do not stutter were assessed in three speaking tasks: monologue, oral reading (solo reading aloud) and choral reading (reading in unison with the evaluator). Speech fluency and rate were measured for each task. RESULTS: The participants who stuttered had a lower frequency of stuttering during choral reading than during monologue and oral reading. CONCLUSIONS: According to the dual premotor system model, choral speech enhanced fluency by providing external cues for the timing of each syllable compensating for deficient internal cues.

Comparison of different speech tasks among adults who stutter and adults who do not stutter

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we compared the performance of both fluent speakers and people who stutter in three different speaking situations: monologue speech, oral reading and choral reading. This study follows the assumption that the neuromotor control of speech can be influenced by external auditory stimuli in both speakers who stutter and speakers who do not stutter. METHOD: Seventeen adults who stutter and seventeen adults who do not stutter were assessed in three speaking tasks: monologue, oral reading (solo reading aloud) and choral reading (reading in unison with the evaluator). Speech fluency and rate were measured for each task. RESULTS: The participants who stuttered had a lower frequency of stuttering during choral reading than during monologue and oral reading. CONCLUSIONS: According to the dual premotor system model, choral speech enhanced fluency by providing external cues for the timing of each syllable compensating for deficient internal cues.

Diadococinesia sequencial em crianças fluentes e com gagueira desenvolvimental persistente: análise da velocidade e tipo do erro da consoante alvo / Sequential diadochokinesis in fluent and stuttering children: rate of production and type of errors

RESUMO Objetivo Comparar a performance motora oral complexa em crianças com gagueira persistente do desenvolvimento e em crianças fluentes, a partir do cálculo da velocidade de produção da diadococinesia sequencial (DDK/SMR) e análise da tipologia de desvio da consoante alvo. Métodos Participaram do estudo 46 crianças com idades entre 4 anos e 11 anos e 11 meses, divididas em dois grupos: Grupo Pesquisa (GI), composto por 23 crianças com diagnóstico de gagueira; Grupo Controle (GII), composto por 23 crianças fluentes, pareadas por gênero e idade aos participantes do GI. Para cada participante, foram coletadas e gravadas três amostras de DDK/SMR em janelas de 15 segundos cada, sendo analisadas, posteriormente, a velocidade de produção articulatória, o número e os tipos de erros apresentados nas amostras. Resultados Os grupos não se diferenciaram em nenhuma das variáveis testadas, ou seja, apresentaram desempenhos semelhantes quanto à velocidade de produção articulatória, quanto ao número de erros e quanto aos tipos de erros (o desvio da consoante alvo mais frequente foi a inversão, para ambos os grupos). Conclusão As crianças com gagueira do desenvolvimento e as crianças fluentes apresentaram desempenho semelhante nas variáveis testadas, sugerindo que a prova de diadococinesia sequencial não foi eficiente para auxiliar na identificação precoce da gagueira em crianças.

ABSTRACT Purpose To compare the oral motor performance of stuttering and fluent children based on the production rate of sequential diadochokinesis (DDK) and on the type of errors. Methods Participants were 46 children, aged between 4 years and 11 years and 11 months, divided into two groups: Research Group (GI), composed of 23 children with persistent developmental stuttering; Control Group (GII), composed of 23 fluent children, paired by age and gender to participants of GI. For each participant, three samples of sequential DDK were recorded in 15-second windows. These samples were later analyzed considering articulatory rate, and number and type of consonant errors per sample. Results The groups did not present significant differences when considering the analyzed variables. Both fluent and stuttering children presented similar performances for articulatory rate and consonant errors (i.e., the most frequent type of error was consonant exchange). Conclusion Children with developmental stuttering and their fluent peers presented similar performances in all of the tested variables, suggesting that sequential DDK was not enough to identify the stuttering group.

Impacto do uso do SpeechEasy® nos parâmetros acústicos e motores da fala de indivíduos com gagueira / The effect of the SpeechEasy® device on acoustic and speech motor parameters of adults who stutter

Objetivo Investigar variações nas habilidades motoras da fala em adultos com e sem gagueira, utilizando o dispositivo de alteração do feedback auditivo SpeechEasy®. Métodos Participaram 20 adultos, dez com gagueira (nove do gênero masculino e um do feminino – média 30,9 anos) e dez controles fluentes (nove do gênero masculino e um do feminino – média 25,2 anos). O estudo comparou o desempenho dos participantes em quatro tarefas: fala espontânea, diadococinesia alternada, diadococinesia sequencial e emissão de frase alvo, com e sem o dispositivo. Os aspectos analisados acusticamente foram: (1) tarefas de diadococinesia: duração das sílabas, período médio entre as sílabas, pico de intensidade e taxa de diadococinesia; (2) tarefa de emissão da frase alvo: tempo de reação, duração do voice onset time, duração total da emissão, frequência fundamental e intensidade. Resultados Tanto na comparação intragrupos quanto intergrupos, apenas a tarefa de fala espontânea apresentou diferenças significativas. Nesta tarefa, o uso do SpeechEasy® resultou em melhora significativa da fluência de fala, medida pela porcentagem de sílabas gaguejadas, para o grupo com gagueira. Para o grupo fluente, o dispositivo produziu o efeito oposto (aumento significativo na frequência de rupturas gagas com o dispositivo). Os resultados encontrados quanto aos aspectos acústicos das tarefas de diadococinesia e emissão da frase alvo não indicaram diferença significativa nas comparações intragrupos e intergrupos. Conclusão Os resultados indicaram que o uso do SpeechEasy® melhorou a fluência dos participantes com gagueira, sem parecer interferir na naturalidade de fala. .

Purpose To investigate variations in speech motor skills in adults who stutter and those who do not, using the SpeechEasy® altered auditory feedback device. Methods Twenty adults participated, 10 of whom stuttered (nine males and one female - mean age 30.9 years) and 10 of whom were fluent controls (nine males and one female - mean age 25.2 years). The study compared the performance of participants in four tasks: spontaneous speech, alternating diadochokinesis, sequential diadochokinesis and target phrase production, with and without the device. The following variables were analyzed acoustically: (1) diadochokinesis tasks: syllable duration, mean duration between syllables, peak intensity and diadochokinesis rate; (2) target phrase production task: reaction time, voice onset time (VOT) duration, total production duration, fundamental frequency and intensity. Results The spontaneous speech task was the only task to show significant differences in both the intragroup and intergroup comparisons. In this task, the use of SpeechEasy® resulted in significant improvement in speech fluency, as measured by the percentage of stuttered syllables, for the group who stuttered. For the fluent group, the device produced the opposite effect: a significant increase in the frequency of stuttered disfluencies was observed with the device. No significant differences were found in either intragroup or intergroup comparisons relating to the acoustic aspects of the diadochokinesis and target phrase production tasks. Conclusion The results indicated that the use of SpeechEasy® improved the fluency of participants who stutter, without appearing to interfere with speech naturalness. .

Purpose To investigate variations in speech motor skills in adults who stutter and those who do not, using the SpeechEasy® altered auditory feedback device. Methods 1 2 Results The spontaneous speech task was the only task to show significant differences in both the intragroup and intergroup comparisons. In this task, the use of SpeechEasy® resulted in significant improvement in speech fluency, as measured by the percentage of stuttered syllables, for the group who stuttered. For the fluent group, the device produced the opposite effect: a significant increase in the frequency of stuttered disfluencies was observed with the device. No significant differences were found in either intragroup or intergroup comparisons relating to the acoustic aspects of the diadochokinesis and target phrase production tasks. Conclusion The results indicated that the use of SpeechEasy® improved the fluency of participants who stutter, without appearing to interfere with speech naturalness. .

Self-perception of people who stutter regarding their experiences and results of stuttering treatments.

PURPOSE: To investigate the opinion about stuttering treatments in people who stutter, based on their answers to two open questions. METHODS: The participants were 40 adults of both genders, with self-reported stuttering. During the first phase of the research, we contacted two Brazilian nongovernmental organizations: the Brazilian Stuttering Association (ABRAGAGUEIRA) and the Brazilian Fluency Institute (IBF). These associations agreed to participate and were responsible for sending the research questions to their members via electronic mail. The first contact with the participants elucidated the purpose and method of our research and, after obtaining informed consent from participants, the two questions were sent. The research questions involved their opinion about cure, treatments to which the participants had been submitted, and their outcome. RESULTS: After analysis, the answers obtained indicated that people who stutter believe in a cure for stuttering; that the ideal therapy would be the one that led to the disappearance of the symptoms; and the most frequently reported professional to treat the disorder is the speech-language pathologist. The results also indicated that although most of the participants had undergone speech-language treatment for stuttering, neither significant improvements were observed nor satisfaction was positive. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the answers presented by the participants were not based on scientific knowledge about the disorder but on their wish that "something could happen" to make stuttering "disappear." Although in this study we did not investigate the type of treatment to which the patients were submitted, the results suggest that the factors that contribute to an effective treatment are contentious.

Self-perception of people who stutter regarding their experiences and results of stuttering treatments / Autopercepção da pessoa que gagueja quanto à avaliação de suas experiências e dos resultados de seu(s) tratamento(s) para a gagueira

Purpose: To investigate the opinion about stuttering treatments in people who stutter, based on their answers to two open questions. Methods: The participants were 40 adults of both genders, with self-reported stuttering. During the first phase of the research, we contacted two Brazilian nongovernmental organizations: the Brazilian Stuttering Association (ABRAGAGUEIRA) and the Brazilian Fluency Institute (IBF). These associations agreed to participate and were responsible for sending the research questions to their members via electronic mail. The first contact with the participants elucidated the purpose and method of our research and, after obtaining informed consent from participants, the two questions were sent. The research questions involved their opinion about cure, treatments to which the participants had been submitted, and their outcome. Results: After analysis, the answers obtained indicated that people who stutter believe in a cure for stuttering; that the ideal therapy would be the one that led to the disappearance of the symptoms; and the most frequently reported professional to treat the disorder is the speech-language pathologist. The results also indicated that although most of the participants had undergone speech-language treatment for stuttering, neither significant improvements were observed nor satisfaction was positive. Conclusion: The results indicate that the answers presented by the participants were not based on scientific knowledge about the disorder but on their wish that "something could happen" to make stuttering "disappear." Although in this study we did not investigate the type of treatment to which the patients were submitted, the results suggest that the factors that contribute to an effective treatment are contentious.

Objetivo: Conhecer a opinião das pessoas que gaguejam sobre os tratamentos da gagueira, a partir de resposta a duas questões abertas. Métodos: Participaram do estudo 40 adultos, autoavaliados como gagos, sem distinção de gênero. Na primeira fase da pesquisa, foram feitos contatos com duas Organizações Não Governamentais brasileiras de apoio às pessoas com gagueira: Associação Brasileira de Gagueira (ABRAGAGUEIRA) e Instituto Brasileiro de Fluência (IBF), que se dispuseram a participar do estudo divulgando a proposta para seus membros via correio eletrônico. O primeiro contato com os participantes esclareceu o objetivo e método da pesquisa e, após obtenção da concordância na participação da mesma, foi enviada nova correspondência contendo duas questões a serem respondidas, que envolviam opiniões sobre cura, tratamentos realizados e seus resultados. Resultados: As respostas obtidas indicaram que pessoas que gaguejam acreditam na cura da gagueira; a terapia ideal seria a que levasse ao desaparecimento do sintoma e que o tratamento mais indicado é o fonoaudiológico. Os resultados indicaram ainda que, para a maioria dos participantes, embora já tenham realizado tratamento fonoaudiológico, não foi observada melhora significativa do quadro e nem satisfação positiva com o tratamento realizado. Conclusão: Os resultados indicaram que os participantes, ao emitirem suas respostas, não se basearam no conhecimento científico do distúrbio e sim no desejo de que "algo possa acontecer" e a gagueira venha a "desaparecer". Embora a pesquisa não tenha focado no tipo de terapia realizada, os resultados indicaram que a determinação dos componentes que contribuem para um tratamento eficaz para gagueira são controversos.

Aspectos da fluência da fala em crianças com distúrbio específico de linguagem / Aspects of speech fluency in children with specific language impairment

Objetivo Avaliar aspectos específicos da fluência da fala em crianças com DEL, quanto à tipologia de rupturas comuns e velocidade de fala (em palavras e sílabas por minuto), considerando as diferentes faixas etárias. Métodos Participaram 50 crianças de ambos os gêneros, na faixa etária de 3 a 7 anos, com QI não verbal e limiares auditivos dentro da normalidade e ausência de gagueira. As crianças foram divididas em dois grupos: G1 (DEL), com 25 crianças (sete meninas e 18 meninos, com idades entre 3 e 7 anos) e G2 (desenvolvimento típico), com 25 crianças pareadas em idade e gênero ao GI. Foi apresentada uma figura à criança e solicitado que falasse o que quisesse sobre ela. Cada amostra de fala foi composta por 200 sílabas fluentes ou 100 palavras fluentes. Resultados A análise intergrupos demonstrou que crianças de 3 e 4 anos do G1 apresentaram menor velocidade de fala que seus pares em desenvolvimento típico. Na análise intragrupos, no que se refere à tipologia de rupturas, o G1 não apresentou diferenças em nenhuma das faixas etárias. Já o G2, para as faixas etárias de 4 e 5 anos, a hesitação foi mais frequente e aos 6 e 7 anos, a hesitação e a repetição de palavras se diferenciaram das demais tipologias. Conclusão Crianças com suspeita de DEL nas idades de 3 e 4 anos, aqui estudadas, apresentaram redução da produção de palavras e sílabas. As rupturas de fala, do tipo hesitação, foram recursos usados pelas crianças com desenvolvimento típico de todas as faixas etárias, o que não ocorreu nas crianças com DEL. .

Purpose The present study aimed to assess specific aspects of speech fluency in children with specific language impairment (SLI). This included examining the typology of speech disruption and rate (in words and syllables per minute), across different age groups. Methods A total of 50 children, aged 3 to 7 years old, presenting with nonverbal IQ and hearing thresholds within normal limits (without the presence of stuttering) participated in the study. Children were divided into two groups: G1 (SLI) included 25 children (7 girls and 18 boys) and G2 (typical development) included 25 children matched on age and gender with G1. Each child was shown a figure and asked to discuss what s/he liked about the figure. Each speech sample included 200 fluent syllables or 100 fluent words. Results Between-group analyses demonstrated that children aged 3 to 4 years old in G1 had lower speech rate than their age-matched peers from G2. Within-group analyses revealed no differences in disruption typologies between age groups in G1 participants. In contrast, hesitation was the most frequent typology for 4- to 5-year-old G2 children, whereas hesitation and word repetition typologies were observed in 6- to 7-year-old G2 children. Conclusion Children with suspected SLI between the ages of 3 to 4 years old showed a reduction in word and syllable production. Hesitation-type speech disruptions were prominently used by typically developing children, regardless of age, and were not observed in SLI children. .

Lexical priming in fluent and with developmental stuttering children.

PURPOSE: To examine the possible relationship between lexical variables (categorization and naming) and developmental stuttering. METHODS: Thirty Brazilian Portuguese speaking children with ages ranging from 7 to 9 years and 11 months participated in the study. We applied a lexical priming paradigm to experimentally investigate whether children with developmental stuttering (Research Group) differed from their fluent peers (Control Group), with respect to reaction time in three conditions - control (without prime); semantically related prime, and semantically independent prime - of two experimental tasks: categorization and naming of the target stimulus. RESULTS: No difference between groups was observed in reaction time on the categorization task. However, there was a condition effect showing that, for both groups, reaction time was shorter in the semantically related prime condition when compared to the no prime condition. In the naming task, a between-group difference was observed in reaction time, indicating a longer reaction time in the Research Group than the Control Group. There was no condition effect on naming, i.e. the Research Group showed slower reaction time regardless of prime type. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm the hypothesis that, in children with developmental stuttering, readiness in motor programming of speech is slowed when compared to fluent children. There is no difference between groups when the lexical function does not require speech readiness.

Priming lexical em crianças fluentes e com gagueira do desenvolvimento / Lexical priming in fluent and with developmental stuttering children

OBJETIVO: Examinar a possível relação entre variáveis lexicais (categorização e nomeação) e gagueira do desenvolvimento. MÉTODOS: Participaram do estudo 30 crianças falantes do português brasileiro, entre 7 a 9 anos e 11 meses. Foi utilizado o paradigma de priming lexical para investigar experimentalmente se as crianças com gagueira do desenvolvimento (Grupo Pesquisa) se diferenciam de seus pares fluentes (Grupo Controle), em relação ao tempo de reação em três condições de pesquisa - condição controle (sem prime); condição de prime semanticamente relacionado e condição de prime semanticamente independente -, em duas tarefas experimentais: categorização e nomeação do estímulo-alvo. RESULTADOS: Na tarefa de categorização, não houve diferença no tempo de reação entre os grupos. O tempo de reação foi diferente para cada condição, porém, a variação foi similar em ambos os grupos. Houve efeito de prime entre as condições sem prime e prime relacionado indicando que, para ambos os grupos, o tempo de reação foi menor na condição de prime relacionado. Na tarefa de nomeação, houve diferença no tempo de reação entre os grupos. O tempo de reação no Grupo Pesquisa foi maior em relação ao Grupo Controle. Não houve efeito de prime, ou seja, em qualquer condição, o Grupo Pesquisa apresentou tempo de reação maior. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados da pesquisa confirmaram a hipótese de que, nas crianças com gagueira do desenvolvimento, a prontidão na programação motora da fala - input - é lentificada, em relação ao Grupo de Controle de crianças fluentes. Não há diferença entre os grupos quando a função lexical não exige prontidão para a fala.

PURPOSE: To examine the possible relationship between lexical variables (categorization and naming) and developmental stuttering. METHODS: Thirty Brazilian Portuguese speaking children with ages ranging from 7 to 9 years and 11 months participated in the study. We applied a lexical priming paradigm to experimentally investigate whether children with developmental stuttering (Research Group) differed from their fluent peers (Control Group), with respect to reaction time in three conditions - control (without prime); semantically related prime, and semantically independent prime - of two experimental tasks: categorization and naming of the target stimulus. RESULTS: No difference between groups was observed in reaction time on the categorization task. However, there was a condition effect showing that, for both groups, reaction time was shorter in the semantically related prime condition when compared to the no prime condition. In the naming task, a between-group difference was observed in reaction time, indicating a longer reaction time in the Research Group than the Control Group. There was no condition effect on naming, i.e. the Research Group showed slower reaction time regardless of prime type. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm the hypothesis that, in children with developmental stuttering, readiness in motor programming of speech is slowed when compared to fluent children. There is no difference between groups when the lexical function does not require speech readiness.

Gagueira desenvolvimental persistente familial: perspectivas genéticas / Familial persistent developmental stuttering: genetic perspectives

A gagueira é uma desordem da comunicação oral que tem uma característica multidimensional. A predisposição biológica no desenvolvimento da gagueira ainda não é bem compreendida, mas contribuições genéticas para esta predisposição são reforçadas tanto por referências à agregação familial da gagueira, quanto à gagueira familial, que têm aparecido na literatura há mais de 70 anos. Assim, procuramos estabelecer uma revisão quanto aos prováveis fatores genéticos envolvidos com a manifestação da gagueira desenvolvimental persistente familial. A identificação de genes relacionados à gagueira, bem como de alterações em suas estruturas (por exemplo, mutações), contribuem significativamente para sua compreensão. O modelo exato de transmissão da herança genética para a gagueira ainda não está claramente definida e, provavelmente pode ser diferente entre diferentes famílias e populações. As análises genômicas demonstram, concomitantemente, a relevância dos componentes genéticos envolvidos e sua complexidade, sugerindo assim tratar-se de uma doença poligênica, na qual diversos genes de efeitos variados podem estar envolvidos com o aumento da susceptibilidade de ocorrência da gagueira. O clínico deverá estar alerta ao fato de que uma criança com histórico familial positivo para gagueira poderá ter uma forte tendência a desenvolver o distúrbio de forma crônica. É importante que o clínico esteja atento, de modo a fornecer às famílias orientações precisas sobre o distúrbio. As avaliações objetivas e os tratamentos controlados têm um papel muito importante para o domínio da evolução do distúrbio.

Stuttering is a disorder of oral communication that has a multidimensional character. The biological predisposition in the development of stuttering is still not well understood, but genetic contributions to this predisposition are enhanced by both references to the familial aggregation of stuttering and to familial stammering, which have appeared in the literature for over 70 years. Thus, we conducted a review as to the likely genetic factors involved in the manifestation of familial persistent developmental stuttering. The identification of genes related to stuttering, as well as alterations in their structures (e.g., mutations), contribute significantly to its understanding. The exact transmission pattern of genetic inheritance for stuttering is still not clearly defined and might probably be different among different families and populations. Genomic analysis have shown, concomitantly, the relevance of the genetic components involved and their complexity, thus suggesting that this is a polygenic disease in which several genes of different effects may be involved with the increased susceptibility of occurrence of stuttering. The clinician should be alert to the fact that a child with positive familial history for stuttering may have a strong tendency to develop the disorder chronically. It is important that the clinician is aware, in order to provide precise information about the disorder to the families. Objective evaluations and controlled treatments play an important role in the knowledge of the disorder's development.

Acoustic analyses of diadochokinesis in fluent and stuttering children.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to acoustically compare the performance of children who do and do not stutter on diadochokinesis tasks in terms of syllable duration, syllable periods, and peak intensity. METHODS: In this case-control study, acoustical analyses were performed on 26 children who stutter and 20 aged-matched normally fluent children (both groups stratified into preschoolers and school-aged children) during a diadochokinesis task: the repetition of articulatory segments through a task testing the ability to alternate movements. Speech fluency was assessed using the Fluency Profile and the Stuttering Severity Instrument. RESULTS: The children who stutter and those who do not did not significantly differ in terms of the acoustic patterns they produced in the diadochokinesis tasks. Significant differences were demonstrated between age groups independent of speech fluency. Overall, the preschoolers performed poorer. These results indicate that the observed differences are related to speech-motor age development and not to stuttering itself. CONCLUSIONS: Acoustic studies demonstrate that speech segment durations are most variable, both within and between subjects, during childhood and then gradually decrease to adult levels by the age of eleven to thirteen years. One possible explanation for the results of the present study is that children who stutter presented higher coefficients of variation to exploit the motor equivalence to achieve accurate sound production (i.e., the absence of speech disruptions).

Acoustic analyses of diadochokinesis in fluent and stuttering children

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to acoustically compare the performance of children who do and do not stutter on diadochokinesis tasks in terms of syllable duration, syllable periods, and peak intensity. METHODS: In this case-control study, acoustical analyses were performed on 26 children who stutter and 20 agedmatched normally fluent children (both groups stratified into preschoolers and school-aged children) during a diadochokinesis task: the repetition of articulatory segments through a task testing the ability to alternate movements. Speech fluency was assessed using the Fluency Profile and the Stuttering Severity Instrument. RESULTS: The children who stutter and those who do not did not significantly differ in terms of the acoustic patterns they produced in the diadochokinesis tasks. Significant differences were demonstrated between age groups independent of speech fluency. Overall, the preschoolers performed poorer. These results indicate that the observed differences are related to speech-motor age development and not to stuttering itself. CONCLUSIONS: Acoustic studies demonstrate that speech segment durations are most variable, both within and between subjects, during childhood and then gradually decrease to adult levels by the age of eleven to thirteen years. One possible explanation for the results of the present study is that children who stutter presented higher coefficients of variation to exploit the motor equivalence to achieve accurate sound production (i.e., the absence of speech disruptions).