A nationwide survey of nonspeech oral motor exercise use: implications for evidence-based practice. 2008

Gregory L Lof, and Maggie M Watson
MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA 02129-4557, USA. glof@mghihp.edu

OBJECTIVE A nationwide survey was conducted to determine if speech-language pathologists (SLPs) use nonspeech oral motor exercises (NSOMEs) to address children's speech sound problems. For those SLPs who used NSOMEs, the survey also identified (a) the types of NSOMEs used by the SLPs, (b) the SLPs' underlying beliefs about why they use NSOMEs, (c) clinicians' training for these exercises, (d) the application of NSOMEs across various clinical populations, and (e) specific tasks/procedures/tools that are used for intervention. METHODS A total of 2,000 surveys were mailed to a randomly selected subgroup of SLPs, obtained from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) membership roster, who self-identified that they worked in various settings with children who have speech sound problems. The questions required answers that used both a forced choice and Likert-type scales. RESULTS The response rate was 27.5% (537 out of 2,000). Of these respondents, 85% reported using NSOMEs to deal with children's speech sound production problems. Those SLPs reported that the research literature supports the use of NSOMEs, and that they learned to use these techniques from continuing education events. They also stated that NSOMEs can help improve the speech of children from disparate etiologies, and "warming up" and strengthening the articulators are important components of speech sound therapy. CONCLUSIONS There are theoretical and research data that challenge both the use of NSOMEs and the efficacy of such exercises in resolving speech sound problems. SLPs need to follow the concepts of evidence-based practice in order to determine if these exercises are actually effective in bringing about changes in speech productions.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D003625 Data Collection Systematic gathering of data for a particular purpose from various sources, including questionnaires, interviews, observation, existing records, and electronic devices. The process is usually preliminary to statistical analysis of the data. Data Collection Methods,Dual Data Collection,Collection Method, Data,Collection Methods, Data,Collection, Data,Collection, Dual Data,Data Collection Method,Method, Data Collection,Methods, Data Collection
D004401 Dysarthria Disorders of speech articulation caused by imperfect coordination of pharynx, larynx, tongue, or face muscles. This may result from CRANIAL NERVE DISEASES; NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASES; CEREBELLAR DISEASES; BASAL GANGLIA DISEASES; BRAIN STEM diseases; or diseases of the corticobulbar tracts (see PYRAMIDAL TRACTS). The cortical language centers are intact in this condition. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p489) Hyperkinetic Dysarthria,Hypokinetic Dysarthria,Scanning Speech,Dysarthosis,Dysarthria, Flaccid,Dysarthria, Guttural,Dysarthria, Mixed,Dysarthria, Scanning,Dysarthria, Spastic,Dysarthoses,Dysarthria, Hyperkinetic,Dysarthria, Hypokinetic,Dysarthrias,Dysarthrias, Flaccid,Dysarthrias, Guttural,Dysarthrias, Hyperkinetic,Dysarthrias, Hypokinetic,Dysarthrias, Mixed,Dysarthrias, Scanning,Dysarthrias, Spastic,Flaccid Dysarthria,Flaccid Dysarthrias,Guttural Dysarthria,Guttural Dysarthrias,Hyperkinetic Dysarthrias,Hypokinetic Dysarthrias,Mixed Dysarthria,Mixed Dysarthrias,Scanning Dysarthria,Scanning Dysarthrias,Scanning Speechs,Spastic Dysarthria,Spastic Dysarthrias,Speechs, Scanning
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D013066 Speech-Language Pathology The study of speech or language disorders and their diagnosis and correction. Language Pathology,Speech Pathology,Pathology, Language,Pathology, Speech,Pathology, Speech-Language,Pathology, Speech Language,Speech Language Pathology
D013070 Speech Therapy Treatment for individuals with speech defects and disorders that involves counseling and use of various exercises and aids to help the development of new speech habits. Therapy, Speech,Speech Therapies,Therapies, Speech
D014481 United States A country in NORTH AMERICA between CANADA and MEXICO.
D014600 Utilization Review An organized procedure carried out through committees to review admissions, duration of stay, professional services furnished, and to evaluate the medical necessity of those services and promote their most efficient use. Review, Utilization,Reviews, Utilization,Utilization Reviews
D016896 Treatment Outcome Evaluation undertaken to assess the results or consequences of management and procedures used in combating disease in order to determine the efficacy, effectiveness, safety, and practicability of these interventions in individual cases or series. Rehabilitation Outcome,Treatment Effectiveness,Clinical Effectiveness,Clinical Efficacy,Patient-Relevant Outcome,Treatment Efficacy,Effectiveness, Clinical,Effectiveness, Treatment,Efficacy, Clinical,Efficacy, Treatment,Outcome, Patient-Relevant,Outcome, Rehabilitation,Outcome, Treatment,Outcomes, Patient-Relevant,Patient Relevant Outcome,Patient-Relevant Outcomes

Related Publications

Gregory L Lof, and Maggie M Watson
July 2008, Language, speech, and hearing services in schools,
Gregory L Lof, and Maggie M Watson
February 2011, American journal of speech-language pathology,
Gregory L Lof, and Maggie M Watson
November 2009, American journal of speech-language pathology,
Gregory L Lof, and Maggie M Watson
November 2015, American journal of speech-language pathology,
Gregory L Lof, and Maggie M Watson
November 2008, Seminars in speech and language,
Gregory L Lof, and Maggie M Watson
July 2008, Language, speech, and hearing services in schools,
Gregory L Lof, and Maggie M Watson
November 2008, Seminars in speech and language,
Gregory L Lof, and Maggie M Watson
November 2020, American journal of speech-language pathology,
Gregory L Lof, and Maggie M Watson
July 2008, Language, speech, and hearing services in schools,
Gregory L Lof, and Maggie M Watson
November 2008, Seminars in speech and language,
Copied contents to your clipboard!