Intensive Stuttering Therapy with Telepractice Follow-Up: Longitudinal Outcomes

Abstract

Purpose: This study estimated the treatment outcomes of a behavioral stuttering therapy program that blended a combination of intensive face-to-face therapy with telepractice-based follow-up therapy. Method: A total of 17 participants (mean age = 22 years) who stutter participated in the program, preceded by an extended baseline period. The participants completed a series of assessments conducted over multiple time points, spanning a total of 42 weeks. Growth curve modeling was used to analyze the changes participants experienced in the frequency of stuttering, stuttering severity, communication attitudes, and quality of life. Results: The participants demonstrated stability throughout the extended baseline period, and experienced positive outcomes from the intensive program and the gains in communication attitudes and quality of life were largely maintained with weekly follow-up telepractice sessions. However, stuttering frequency and severity increased when the telepractice follow-up session frequency transitioned to a biweekly basis. Neither gender nor age group predicted the treatment outcomes for frequency or severity of stuttering. Gender-based differences were found for the treatment outcomes of specific self-report measures, with male participants having demonstrated a greater proportional decline on their standard scores, relative to female participants. Outcomes were similar for both adolescents and adults. Conclusions: Participants attending the intensive stuttering therapy program experienced positive and significant changes in their speech, attitudes toward communication, and overall quality of life, which were maintained over time with structured, weekly telepractice follow-up sessions.