Expiratory Muscle Strength Training for Hypernasal Speech in Children

Description

When the soft palate does not move enough because of a cleft palate or for unknown reasons, this can lead to a speech difference called velopharyngeal insufficiency. The purpose of this research study is to test if soft palate exercises using a hand help breathing device will help improve the ability of the soft palate to close the area between the throat and nose and help improve speech.

Conditions

Velopharyngeal Insufficiency, Velopharyngeal Incompetence Due to Cleft Palate, Inadequate Velopharyngeal Closure, Palatopharyngeal Incompetence, Hypernasality

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

When the soft palate does not move enough because of a cleft palate or for unknown reasons, this can lead to a speech difference called velopharyngeal insufficiency. The purpose of this research study is to test if soft palate exercises using a hand help breathing device will help improve the ability of the soft palate to close the area between the throat and nose and help improve speech.

Expiratory Muscle Strength Training As a Non-surgical Option for Velopharyngeal Dysfunction: a Randomized-controlled Trial

Expiratory Muscle Strength Training for Hypernasal Speech in Children

Condition
Velopharyngeal Insufficiency
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Pittsburgh

UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15224

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Pittsburgh weighted speech scores of 5 or greater
  • * Ages 5-17 years
  • * CAPS-A-AM hypernasality score \<2
  • * Previous speech surgery (e.g. palatoplasty or pharyngeal flap)
  • * Speech surgery scheduled within the next 56 days
  • * Unable or unwilling to perform the tests and exercises outlined in the study

Ages Eligible for Study

5 Years to 17 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Noel Jabbour,

Noel Jabbour, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Pittsburgh

Study Record Dates

2026-11