Rhotic Generalization Is More Rapid in Biofeedback than Motor-Based Treatment for Residual Speech Sound Disorder: Secondary Outcomes of a Randomized Controlled Trial
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| Title: | Rhotic Generalization Is More Rapid in Biofeedback than Motor-Based Treatment for Residual Speech Sound Disorder: Secondary Outcomes of a Randomized Controlled Trial |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Jonathan L. Preston (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. 2026 69(4):1362-1378. |
| Availability: | American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. 2200 Research Blvd #250, Rockville, MD 20850. Tel: 301-296-5700; Fax: 301-296-8580; e-mail: slhr@asha.org; Web site: http://jslhr.pubs.asha.org |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 17 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | National Institutes of Health (NIH) (DHHS) |
| Contract Number: | R01DC017476 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Speech Impairments, Speech Therapy, Biofeedback, Generalization, Outcomes of Treatment, Children, Adolescents, Motor Development, North American English, Language Acquisition |
| Geographic Terms: | New York, New Jersey |
| DOI: | 10.1044/2025_JSLHR-25-00700 |
| ISSN: | 1092-4388 1558-9102 |
| Abstract: | Purpose: This study examined the effects of visual biofeedback approaches and nonbiofeedback motor-based treatment on generalization outcomes following speech therapy for children with residual speech sound disorders (RSSDs). Method: A total of 108 children aged 9-15 years with RSSD affecting American English /ɹ/ were randomly assigned to receive 19 motor-based speech treatment sessions, with or without visual biofeedback (divided into ultrasound or visual-acoustic biofeedback). The treatment included practice designed to implement several motor learning principles, with task difficulty systematically adjusted based on the child's performance. Children's /ɹ/ accuracy on untreated words before and after treatment was rated as correct or incorrect by lay listeners who were blinded to participant characteristics, treatment conditions, and time points. Results: The mixed-effects regression model revealed a statistically significant interaction between treatment type and time point. Specifically, both the biofeedback and nonbiofeedback motor-based treatment groups made progress over time, but the amount of generalization to untreated words was significantly greater in the biofeedback condition than in the motor-based treatment. In a subanalysis comparing biofeedback types, greater generalization was observed following ultrasound biofeedback than visual-acoustic biofeedback, although this effect was strongest at one treatment site. Discussion: This randomized controlled trial found that adding biofeedback to motor-based treatment can increase the rate of accurate production of the American English /ɹ/ in untreated words. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Notes: | https://osf.io/6qs4d |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1505537 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Purpose: This study examined the effects of visual biofeedback approaches and nonbiofeedback motor-based treatment on generalization outcomes following speech therapy for children with residual speech sound disorders (RSSDs). Method: A total of 108 children aged 9-15 years with RSSD affecting American English /ɹ/ were randomly assigned to receive 19 motor-based speech treatment sessions, with or without visual biofeedback (divided into ultrasound or visual-acoustic biofeedback). The treatment included practice designed to implement several motor learning principles, with task difficulty systematically adjusted based on the child's performance. Children's /ɹ/ accuracy on untreated words before and after treatment was rated as correct or incorrect by lay listeners who were blinded to participant characteristics, treatment conditions, and time points. Results: The mixed-effects regression model revealed a statistically significant interaction between treatment type and time point. Specifically, both the biofeedback and nonbiofeedback motor-based treatment groups made progress over time, but the amount of generalization to untreated words was significantly greater in the biofeedback condition than in the motor-based treatment. In a subanalysis comparing biofeedback types, greater generalization was observed following ultrasound biofeedback than visual-acoustic biofeedback, although this effect was strongest at one treatment site. Discussion: This randomized controlled trial found that adding biofeedback to motor-based treatment can increase the rate of accurate production of the American English /ɹ/ in untreated words. |
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| ISSN: | 1092-4388 1558-9102 |
| DOI: | 10.1044/2025_JSLHR-25-00700 |
