More on the efficacy of a protracted precision fluency shaping program

Abstract

Utilizing a modification of the Hollins Precision Fluency Shaping Program (R. Webster, 1973), Schwartz and L. Webster (1977) have reported results closely approximating those from Hollins. Reportedly, 96% of 200 Hollins patients improved with 80% achieving fluency levels of 97% or greater (R. Webster, 1975). Schwartz and L. Webster administered a deintensified version of the Hollins program and reported that 100% of their patients made positive gains with 50% (for conversation) and 62% (for reading) achieving fluency levels of 97% or greater. However, these latter data were gathered on only eight patients and represented a pilot effort to determine if the deintensified program had enough merit to warrant further use. This report describes the results of the same program with 21 additional subjects. The report will consider the data on all 29 subjects with follow-up data on the original 8. The Precision Fluency Shaping Program developed at the Hollins Communication Research institute in Roanoke, Virginia, requires patients to travel to Virginia and live in residence during an intensive 3-week program. The Schwartz and L. Webster modification consists of a program wherein patients attend the clinic three times per week for 2 hours in the late afternoon or early evening for 3 months. Thus, the total hours of patient participation is nearly identical with those at Hollins but, obviously, requires neither extensive time off from work or school nor the heavy expense of travel and lodging. Elaborate descriptions of the Hollins Program are available by contacting the Hollins Institute (also, see Schwartz and L. Webster, 1977). In