Waiting for speech-language pathology services: A randomised controlled trial comparing therapy, advice and device

McLeod, Sharynne; Davis, Emily; Rohr, Katrina; McGill, Nicole; Miller, Katherine; Roberts, Angela; Thornton, Sally K.; Ahio, Nina; Ivory, Nicola

doi:10.1080/17549507.2020.1731600

Cited by 17 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…This may highlight the potential value of interaction with an SLP as opposed to a generic device for families on waiting lists. Additionally, the concurrent Advice/Device Waiting Study [45] found that caregivers whose children received face-to-face intervention with an SLP without waiting were significantly more satisfied than those who received the same purpose-built website. Whilst higher caregiver satisfaction in the intervention condition may have been related to the significant improvements seen in children's speech production, the significant finding may also reflect the increased interaction and access to an SLP for those caregivers [45], thus further supporting the provision of early access to speech-language pathology assessment and intervention for children with communication difficulties.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, this research provides important insights about a community-based sample, particularly children in a control group on a waiting list. Studies involving participants who do not receive intervention are not always ethically possible in clinically based research projects due to some services providing interim support as usual practice [45].…”

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Randomised Controlled Trial Evaluating Active versus Passive Waiting for Speech-Language Pathology

McGill

McLeod

Ivory

et al. 2020

Folia Phoniatr Logop

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Introduction: High demand for speech-language pathology means children sometimes wait over 12 months for services, missing out on timely support. Waiting can be a time of stress, concern, and powerlessness for caregivers. Provision of information via a website may support families and encourage active waiting. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare children’s speech, intelligibility, language, and literacy outcomes, and caregivers’ satisfaction and empowerment in active versus passive waiting conditions. Methods: Ninety-seven preschool-aged children referred to a community health speech-language pathology service in Australia were screened for eligibility. Eligible children (n =42) with speech/language difficulties were randomly allocated to: (a) active waiting (provision of a purpose-built website; n = 20), or (b) passive waiting (control group; n = 22). Pre- and post-assessments (after 6 months on a waiting list) were completed with children and caregivers by a speech-language pathologist blinded to group allocations. Results: Intention to treat (n =36) and per-protocol analyses (n =30) were conducted to measure group differences in child and caregiver outcomes at post-assessment using one-way ANCOVA, controlling for baseline scores. There were no statistically significant differences between groups for children’s speech, intelligibility, language, and literacy, or caregivers’ empowerment and satisfaction. Children in both groups made minimal gains over 6 months. Conclusions: Provision of an active waiting website did not lead to statistically significant change in child or caregiver outcomes, and children in both groups made little progress over a 6-month period. Early speech-language pathology intervention delivered with appropriate dosage is needed to optimise children’s outcomes. Until timely and effective speech-language pathology intervention can be provided for all who need it, provision of early assessments may be beneficial. There remains a need for effective ways to support children and families on waiting lists.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Randomised Controlled Trial Evaluating Active versus Passive Waiting for Speech-Language Pathology

McGill

McLeod

Ivory

et al. 2020

Folia Phoniatr Logop

Self Cite

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“…The first RCT involved 110 preschool-aged children allocated to one of three conditions (website, advice sessions, and face-to-face speech therapy). There was a significant difference between speech outcomes for children who received face-to-face speech therapy compared with those who received the website and advice conditions (McLeod et al, 2020). The second RCT involved 42 preschool-aged children allocated to one of two conditions (website and control).…”

Section: Waiting For Speech Pathology Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, many Australian children did not receive sufficient speech-language pathology (SLP) services due to long waiting lists (McGill, Crowe, & McLeod, 2020;McLeod et al, 2020). One major area of consumer complaint for the New South Wales Department of Health Clinical Excellence Commission was the "availability of specialist services such as speech pathology" (Clinical Excellence Commission, 2016).…”

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confidence: 99%

Supporting Children With Speech Sound Disorders During COVID-19 Restrictions: Technological Solutions

et al. 2020

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Purpose “Children are the hidden victims of the COVID-19 pandemic” (United Nations Children's Fund, 2020). Timely and effective speech intervention is important to reduce the impact on children's school achievement, ability to make friends, mental health, future life opportunities, and government resources. Prior to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, many Australian children did not receive sufficient speech-language pathology (SLP) services due to long waiting lists in the public health system. COVID-19 restrictions exacerbated this issue, as even children who were at the top of lengthy SLP waiting lists often received limited services, particularly in rural areas. To facilitate children receiving speech intervention remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, evidence from randomized controlled trials regarding three technological solutions are examined: (a) Phoneme Factory Sound Sorter (Sound Start Study), (b) Waiting for Speech Pathology website, and (c) Apraxia World. Conclusions For the first two technological solutions, there were similar gains in speech production between the intervention and control groups, whereas, for the third solution, the average magnitude of treatment effect was comparable to face-to-face SLP therapy. Automated therapy management systems may be able to accelerate speech development and support communication resilience to counteract the effects of the COVID-19 restrictions on children with speech sound disorders. Technology-based strategies may also provide a potential solution to the chronic shortage of SLP services in rural areas into the future.

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“…Whilst these findings are preliminary and variability was observed among the participants, the outcomes give promise for further exploration of this innovative therapy to improve communication in people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia through highly meaningful, salient activities. Finally, McLeod et al (2020), building on McGill et al's recommendations (2020) to optimise SLP waiting lists, report on a randomised parallel group trial comparing direct SLP intervention (therapy) to two active waiting list conditions (i.e. face-toface education [advice], or a purpose-built website [device]) to stimulate speech/language skills while waiting for therapy.…”

Section: Editorial Engaging Collaborating and Empowering Through Research And Innovationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Engaging, collaborating and empowering through research and innovation

Wishart

McCann

2020

International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology

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Waiting for speech-language pathology services: A randomised controlled trial comparing therapy, advice and device

Cited by 17 publications

References 47 publications

Randomised Controlled Trial Evaluating Active versus Passive Waiting for Speech-Language Pathology

Randomised Controlled Trial Evaluating Active versus Passive Waiting for Speech-Language Pathology

Supporting Children With Speech Sound Disorders During COVID-19 Restrictions: Technological Solutions

Engaging, collaborating and empowering through research and innovation

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