JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Articulation disorder decreases the clarity of language and causes a decrease in children's learning and social ability. The demand for non-face-to-face treatment is increasing due to the limited number of therapists and geographical or economic constraints. Non-face-to-face speech therapy programs using serious games have been proposed as an alternative.

Objective:

This study investigated the efficacy of home therapy on logopaedic and phoniatric abilities in children with articulation disorder using the Smart Speech® game interface.

Methods:

After the training, post-evaluation (E2) was performed using the same method. Finally, 8 weeks later, post-evaluation (E3) was performed as a follow-up. As an evaluation, voice parameters, such as maximum phonation time (MPT), fundamental frequency, jitter, peak air pressure, pitch, intensity, and voice onset time, were examined.

Results:

As an evaluation, voice parameters, such as maximum phonation time (MPT), fundamental frequency, jitter, peak air pressure, pitch, intensity, and voice onset time, were examined. Articulation parameters include a percentage of correct consonants and alternate motion evaluation (diadochokinesis, DDK). In voice parameters, MPT, jitter, and pitch showed significant changes in RM-ANOVA. However, only MPT showed significant changes during E1–E2 and E1–E3 in post hoc tests. In articulation parameters, Urimal Test of Articulation and Phonology (U-TAP), three-position articulation test (TA), and DDK showed significant changes in RM-ANOVA. In post hoc tests, U-TAP and TA showed significant changes during E1–E2 and E1–E3; DDK showed revealed significant changes during E1–E2 only.

Conclusions:

Home-based serious games can be considered an alternative treatment method to improve language function. Clinical Trial: This trial was registered at the Clinical Reasearch Information Service, under the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (registration no.: KCT0006448) and was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Jeonbuk National University Hospital (IRB approval number: 2019-02-026-015).