Auditory Prediction and Error Evaluation in the Speech of Individuals Who Stutter

Launched by ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY · Dec 22, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how people who stutter process speech and sound. Stuttering can make communication difficult and affect a person’s quality of life. By understanding how the brain and muscles work during speaking, researchers hope to create better treatments for stuttering. Participants will engage in activities like naming pictures, reading aloud or silently, and listening to different sounds. Some may also receive gentle brain stimulation while they speak or read, which could help improve their speech.

To join the study, participants must be native English speakers who do not have other speech or mental health disorders. They should also have normal hearing and not be taking certain medications that might affect the brain. The study is looking for individuals aged 3 and older, and both children and adults are welcome to participate. This research is important because it aims to help those who stutter communicate more easily and improve their overall well-being.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • being a monolingual, native speaker of American English
• • absence of developmental, psychological, neurological, or communication disorders (other than developmental stuttering) as confirmed by a certified research SLP
• • normal (age-appropriate) binaural pure-tone hearing threshold (0.5-4k Hz; ≤25 dB HL for younger than 70 years, and ≤35 dB HL for older than 70 years)
• • not taking any medications that affect the central nervous system
• • absence of safety contra-indication for tDCS, TMS and MRI (for adults)
• • scoring at the 20th percentile or higher on standardized speech-language tests (for children)
• Exclusion Criteria:
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