‘Talky Land’, a Cognitive-Communication Training Application as Digital Therapeutics: Effects on Vocabulary and Articulation

Abstract

Objectives: This study was designed to find out whether the cognitive-communication training application ‘Talky Land’ can be used as digital therapeutics for children with communication disorders. Methods: Children with language and speech sound disorders were divided into three groups: One group using the Talky Land app (10 children in Talky Land group), the second group using the MITA app (7 children in MITA group), and the third group that only received traditional language therapy (10 children in control group). Changes in vocabulary and articulation before and after intervention among three groups were compared, and changes during the intervention period were observed through additional probe measurements for the Talky Land group. This study also examined changes in the perception of caregivers for applications before and after intervention. Results: All three groups showed significant improvement in vocabulary and articulation post-intervention compared to pre-intervention; with the Talky Land group showing strength in receptive vocabulary compared to the other two groups. In the Talky land group, the children’s progress varied somewhat depending on their baseline levels. And caregivers had a more positive perception of the value of the application as an education or treatment tool after intervention than before intervention. Conclusion: The results of this study will be used to further enhance Talky Land and contribute to its completion as digital therapeutics.