Self-disclosure of stuttering occurs when people who stutter (PWS) actively acknowledge to others that they stutter. Although the benefits of self-disclosure have been examined for three decades, several factors have been identified that may mediate its impact. The purpose of this study was to (a) conduct a systematic review of the literature on self-disclosure of stuttering, and (b) summarize the effects of self-disclosure to examine potential factors influencing its impact. A systematic review of studies examining self-disclosure of stuttering was conducted. Studies published before October 2023 were identified within two databases: (1) EBSCO, including Academic Search Complete, APA PsycINFO, Cinahl, Communication and Mass Media Complete, Education Source, ERIC, Medline; and (2) PubMed. Speaker- and observer-based outcome measures were examined with respect to six factors known or suspected to mediate the effects of self-disclosure: (1) gender of speaker/observer, (2) type of disclosure (i.e., apologetic, non-apologetic), (3) loci of disclosure, (4) age of speaker and/or observer, (5) frequency and/or severity of stuttering, and (6) familiarity with a person who stutters. A total of 18 quantitative studies were included in the systematic review. Findings indicate an overall favorable impact of self-disclosure (15 of 18 studies [83.3%]). Non-apologetic self-disclosure statements, when included as a condition, were viewed more favorably than apologetic and/or no disclosure (12 of 13 studies [92.3%]). Gender effects varied across studies. Loci, age, frequency/severity effects, and familiarity with a person who stutters were infrequently examined across studies. Findings support PWS using non-apologetic self-disclosure to mitigate stereotype threat.
BACKGROUND: The Tailored Activity Program (TAP) effectively manages Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD), yet its feasibility across the hospital-to-home care continuum for people living with dementia (PLwD) has not been tested. OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of TAP-Continu-A-Mente intervention for managing BPSD in PLwD transitioning from hospital to home, either following a short-stay observation or a memory clinic evaluation. Secondary aims were to evaluate changes in PLwD BPSD, caregiver distress and sense of competence, healthcare use, dyad satisfaction. METHODS: This single-arm interventional feasibility study enrolled 50 dyads (PLwD and caregivers) at IRCCS San Gerardo Hospital (Monza, Italy). PLwD inclusion criteria were age ≥65, dementia diagnosis, Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) ≥6 in at least one item, independence in at least two basic activities of daily living, fluency in Italian. The intervention consisted of eight sessions over three months (two in hospital and six at home) delivered by occupational therapists. The primary outcome was the proportion of dyads completing the program (dyad retention). Secondary outcomes, assessed at baseline and four months, included NPI, Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), motor-functional status (Katz Index, TUG), caregiver self-efficacy (SCQ), and dyad satisfaction. RESULTS: PLwD had a median age of 81 (Q1–Q3: 77–86), and 52% were female. Patient baseline median CFS was 6 (Q1–Q3: 6–7), and 78% received ≥12 hours/day of caregiver assistance. Caregivers were mostly female (76%) with a median age of 59 (Q1–Q3: 55.5–74). Dyad retention was 84% (42/50), with dropouts mainly older females. Among completers, NPI total scores decreased at follow-up (frequency x severity 42.5 vs 20.5, and caregiver distress 21 vs 14; p < 0.001), while SCQ score increased (52 vs 65; p < 0.001). CNS-active medication use increased overall, from 1 to 2. Katz Index declined from 4 to 3, whereas TUG remained stable (15.5 vs 16.3). No institutionalizations occurred, and one hospitalization was recorded. More than half of patients and caregivers rated their experience as 5/5. CONCLUSIONS: TAP-Continu-A-Mente was a feasible hospital-to-home model of care for PLwD with BPSD. The observed reductions in NPI scores should be considered hypothesis-generating, warranting further investigation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee “Comitato Etico Brianza” (approval no. 4173, 12.01.2023).
To determine whether there are cognitive consequences of bottom-of-sulcus dysplasia (BOSD) when assessed as adults and whether focal resection of these lesions leads to change in cognition. We studied 42 adults, of whom 39 underwent focal resection targeting the lesion. Neuropsychological assessments were tailored to the clinical epileptology. On average, patients were 30 (15-56) years old at the time of assessment. Epilepsy duration was 21 (3-48) years. Seizure onset ranged between 3 months and 26 years. Fifteen patients (36%) had an age of onset of 12 years or older. Older age of seizure onset correlated with fewer cognitive measures impacted (r = -0.34, p = .026). Frontal (52%) and parietal (33%) lobes were common BOSD locations. Confrontation naming was assessed in 20 patients, 11 (55%) of whom were impaired. Of these 11 patients, 8 (73%) had a left-sided BOSD. Verbal fluency was assessed in 23 patients, 13 (57%) of whom were impaired. Of these 13 patients, 11 (85%) had a frontal BOSD. Processing speed and attention were assessed in 35 patients and deficits were seen in 17% to 20%, though milder reductions were more consistently seen. At post-surgical follow-up (M = 8.07 years, SD = 4.91 years), 59% of patients were seizure free. As a group, there was no evidence of post-surgical cognitive decline after focal resection of the BOSD; processing speed (p < .05) improved post-surgically. In adults with BOSD, an earlier age of seizure onset is accompanied by a greater degree of cognitive comorbidity. Naming is commonly affected, particularly for those with left sided BOSDs. Executive dysfunction is common, particularly for patients with a frontal BOSD. Focal lesionectomy is associated with favourable seizure outcome and is cognitively safe with potential for improvement in processing speed.
This study aimed to assess the quality of life of children aged 2-who stutter and who do not stutter. We compared the quality-of-life scores between the two groups and analysed the relationship between their scores and sociodemographic data. We conducted a cross-sectional observational analytical study utilising a non-probabilistic convenience sample of 74 children in the specified age range. Data were collected using structured interviews (sample characterisation script), the Brazilian Economic Classification Criteria, and the Pediatric Questionnaire on Quality of Life (Generic Version 4.0). The Stuttering Severity Instrument (SSI-4) was used to classify the severity of stuttering. The collected data underwent descriptive, associative, and multivariate analyses. Association analyses were conducted between the dimensions of quality of life and total quality of life and the variables socioeconomic background, age, gender, family history of recovered and persistent stuttering, maternal education, and child education, as well as between stuttering severity and quality of life scores. No significant association was found between quality of life and stuttering as perceived by parents. Additionally, no association was observed between stuttering severity and quality of life in children with a confirmed diagnosis of stuttering. Therefore, the impact of stuttering on the quality of life appears to be unrelated to the onset of symptoms but, more likely, to negative communicative experiences during its development.
Stuttering is a neurodevelopmental disorder that causes frequent disruptions in speech flow and affects individuals' lives in many aspects. Recent research on the effectiveness of neuromodulation interventions in stuttering suggests that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can potentially reduce stuttering symptoms, although it is not clear what the optimal stimulation parameters are, and which specific outcomes benefit from tDCS. 36 individuals with stuttering (32 males, 4 females) completed a randomized, double-blind, sham controlled study. Nineteen participants received 1 mA stimulation for 20 min daily while temporarily achieving speech fluency with metronome-timed speech, while the remaining seventeen participants received the same fluency intervention coupled with sham stimulation. tDCS was delivered with a bihemispheric montage: anodal left inferior frontal gyrus and cathodal right inferior frontal gyrus. Both groups received the interventions for a period of 5 consecutive days. Fluency was assessed while reading and while speaking at baseline, at the end of the 5-day intervention, on each day of the intervention (before and after stimulation), and 1 week after the end of the intervention. Primary and secondary analyses showed no sustained tDCS advantage over sham for percentage of syllables stuttered (%SS) in reading or speaking, or the SSI-4 and OASES subdomains at the end of treatment or at 1-week follow-up. Exploratory within-day analyses, indicated session-bound tDCS benefits for %SS in both reading and speaking. These findings provide limited evidence that tDCS can enhance fluency in the short term, while also underscoring the need for further research to explore its potential long-term benefits.
Stuttering is a speech disorder that can have debilitating effects on quality of life. We present a case report of a patient with near complete resolution of acquired stuttering following thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) for essential tremor. A literature review of neuromodulation for both developmental and acquired stuttering is presented with proposed insights into the pathophysiology of acquired stuttering. A case report of a patient with acquired stuttering receiving thalamic DBS for essential tremor is presented. Clinical data on their stuttering severity and its impact on quality of life was prospectively collected before and six months after thalamic DBS for their essential tremor. Additional data on tremor severity, mood, cognition and overall quality of life are presented. At six months follow-up, there were significant improvements in the patient's tremor and overall quality of life (as expected). There was also near complete resolution of their acquired stuttering and a resultant improvement in voice-related quality of life. This case report details a patient with near complete resolution of acquired stuttering following thalamic deep brain stimulation for essential tremor. The Vim nucleus of the thalamus may play an important role in the pathophysiology of acquired stuttering. Additional studies will be needed to confirm the usefulness of thalamic DBS in acquired stuttering.
Stuttering is a neurodevelopmental disorder that typically emerges in childhood and may persist into adulthood. The current study hypothesized that adults with persistent stuttering who received active anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the left inferior frontal gyrus would demonstrate significantly greater improvements in speech fluency compared to those who received sham stimulation. A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a combined therapeutic approach. Thirty adults diagnosed with moderate to severe stuttering (6 females, 24 males; M = 30.60 years, SD = 10.15) were randomly assigned to either an anodal tDCS group or a sham stimulation group. Participants in the anodal group received fluency shaping therapy concurrently with anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (2 mA), while those in the sham group underwent the same behavioral therapy alongside sham stimulation. The tDCS was targeted over the left inferior frontal gyrus. Each participant completed ten 20-minute sessions over five consecutive days. Speech fluency outcomes were measured pre- and post-intervention. The anodal tDCS group demonstrated significantly greater reductions in %SS, NAT, and SR compared to the sham group across all post-intervention time points (p < .05). Regarding the OASES, no significant between-group differences were observed at any time point; however, both groups demonstrated significant within-group improvements from baseline to the 3-month follow-up. These findings suggest that tDCS, when combined with behavioral fluency interventions, can enhance speech fluency in adults who stutter. tDCS may therefore serve as a promising adjunctive technique to augment the effectiveness of conventional fluency therapies.
Parents of children with moderate-to-severe speech sound disorder presenting to clinic want to understand prognosis for their child; however, there is unclear evidence as to the specific long-term speech outcomes in this group. To review long-term speech outcomes in children with moderate-to-severe speech sound disorders. A systematic review identified 3697 papers; 21 papers containing 15 unique studies (six had overlapping data) met inclusion criteria for moderate-to-severe speech sound disorder with at least one follow-up speech assessment unrelated to intervention outcomes. Studies were appraised for quality. Overall, 9 cohort studies, and 6 case studies of children aged 2y3m-to-11y9m at initial assessment were included. Most (11/15) had two-to-three follow-up time points, and 80% (12/15) specified speech diagnosis or subtype. The most prominent moderate-to-severe speech diagnosis that reached criteria for inclusion was Childhood Apraxia of Speech. Speech outcomes reported in case studies included word (7/15), syllable (7/15), consonant (11/15), and vowel (5/15) accuracy, phonological patterns (9/15, prosody (2/15), consistency (1/15), and intelligibility (2/15). Case studies revealed reduced error frequency and improved single-word accuracy and intelligibility, but persistent error types over time (e.g. token-to-token inconsistency). Cohort studies mostly reported on overall gross improvement, such as 'resolved' or 'persistent' disorder; however, the severity of the 'persistent' subgroup was not delineated. Study quality was generally good, with limitations mostly related to confounding factors such as influence of therapy, or poor or absent specification of the specific speech subtype at time zero. While case studies indicated reduced error frequency over time, larger-scale data are needed to confirm findings. In the current context of health service demands for speech therapy, longitudinal speech outcome data, measuring meaningful speech outcomes are critically needed to identify predictors of longer-term outcomes and inform prioritisation for treatment. What is already known about this subject Despite mounting evidence on the prognosis and history of mild-to-moderate speech and language disorder, longitudinal cohort studies of children with moderate-to-severe speech sound disorders are rare. This gap is notable given emerging data that severe speech sound disorders are more pervasive and pose greater risk to academic achievement and mental health. What this paper adds to existing knowledge There are no larger cohort studies with clear granular data from which to draw conclusions. Longitudinal case studies show reduced error frequency but persistent error type in children and adolescents with childhood apraxia of speech. There are no cohort studies addressing longitudinal data for other severe speech sound disorders, such as dysarthria or fluency disorders. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? Longitudinal prospective data, with a pre-established goal to systematically evaluate speech outcomes over time in a severe speech cohort, are critically needed to identify accurate predictors of longer-term outcomes and inform treatment prioritisation for children with severe speech sound disorders.
We aimed to psychometrically evaluate a Japanese version of the Disclosure of Stuttering Scale, from Boyle et al. (2018), and identify the psychosocial factors associated with level of stuttering self-disclosure among adults who stutter. Adults who stutter were recruited via stuttering self-help groups in Japan and the authors' contacts. Participants completed their demographics, the Disclosure of Stuttering Scale and other psychological scales assessing affective, cognitive, and social aspects of stuttering via an online survey. We analyzed 180 participants after those with unreliable or duplicate responses were excluded. The scale's reliability and validity were confirmed, and multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to predict the score of the Disclosure of Stuttering Scale using demographic variables and psychological measures. The Japanese Disclosure of Stuttering Scale had good internal consistency (ω =.832) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient =.808), with no obvious ceiling or floor effects. Level of self-disclosure of stuttering was lower in the Japanese sample than in the United States sample (Cohen's d = 0.55) reported by Boyle et al. (2018). The regression model revealed that self-reported male gender, self-help group experience, higher self-acceptance, and lower self-stigma were associated with a higher self-disclosure level (adjusted R² =.347). Our study indicated that self-reported gender and psychological and social (self-help experience) components were associated with the level of self-disclosure of stuttering. Furthermore, Japanese adults who stutter tended to report lower levels of self-disclosure compared to previous samples, which may reflect sociocultural differences.
Authors of this study aimed to characterize the neuropsychological profile of survivors of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) and identify clinical variables associated with poor cognitive outcomes. This retrospective observational study included patients with an aSAH diagnosis from 2009 to 2024. Cognitive outcomes were assessed at least 6 months after aSAH using the 22-item Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-22), Digit Span Test Forward (DST-F), Digit Span Test Backward (DST-B), and Verbal Fluency Test (VFT). Poor cognitive outcomes were defined as an MoCA-22 score < 25th percentile for population norms. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with poor cognitive outcomes. A subset of patients also completed the Beck Depression Inventory II, Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale, and Iowa Scales of Personality Change. A total of 156 patients were included. Fifty-three patients (34%) had an MoCA-22 score < 25th percentile, even though 79% of them had a modified Rankin Scale score ≤ 2 at discharge. Moderate and severe deficits (z-score < 1 SD) were observed in 11% of patients (17/156) on the DST-F, 27% (42/156) on the DST-B, and 9% (14/156) on the VFT. A modified Fisher grade 4 on admission (36/53, 68% vs 45/103, 44%) and infarction during hospitalization (16/53, 30% vs 11/103, 11%) were significantly associated with poor cognitive outcomes (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.43, IQR 1.17-5.16, p = 0.018; and aOR 2.71, IQR 1.10-6.79, p = 0.029, respectively). Infarction also negatively impacted work productivity (OR 0.69, p = 0.015) and social relationships (OR 0.72, p = 0.029). Additionally, 27% of patients (12/44) reported at least mild depressive symptoms and 64% (29/45) acquired a personality disturbance. Survivors of aSAH can experience neuropsychological deficits, particularly those affecting executive function and working memory, despite good functional recovery. In this study, a modified Fisher grade 4 and new radiological infarction during hospitalization were associated with poor cognitive outcomes.
The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the processes involved in the construction of the intersectional identity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people who stutter (LGBTQ+PWS). The study fills a gap in the literature between research on the social identity of people who stutter (Daniels & Gabel, 2004) and a description of the lived experiences of LGBTQ people who stutter (Daniels, Boyle, & Archer, 2023). A hybrid qualitative approach combining Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and Grounded Theory methodologies (GT) was used incorporating semi-structured interviewing for obtaining data (IPA and GT) and initial coding, focused coding, and theoretical coding (GT) were used for theory development. The results produced a core phenomenon of the intersectional identity and a theory on its construction. Five categories emerged from focused coding in the domains of cognitive and affective effects during interactions, an awareness of the intersectional identity, individual, public, and structural stigmatization, authenticity and self-acceptance, and concealment and disclosure. Data analyses revealed the core phenomenon of the intersectional identity to be navigating social identities before, during, and after social and communicative interactions by managing information about themselves. The construction of the intersectional LGBTQ+PWS identity involves a dynamic interplay of identity salience, centrality, and situational negotiation, factors that are common to both marginalized groups. These processes are interactive in that one identity influences the visibility, management, and meaning of the other. Clinical implications and future directions are discussed.
There is little evidence regarding the impact of therapy with older school aged children who stutter. The aim of this qualitative study was to capture the voices of children and their parents regarding change following Palin Stammering Therapy for School-aged Children (Palin STSC(8-14)). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 children who stutter (aged 12;8-14;9 years) and 15 parents who attended Palin STSC(8-14) in individual weekly family sessions or intensive group therapy. Families were monitored for one year from therapy onset and interviews took place within eight months of the end of the monitoring period. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and coded, and themes extracted using Thematic Analysis (Attride-Stirling, 2001). All participants reported positive change and 25 out of 26 participants said the impact of stuttering was reduced as a direct result of Palin STSC(8-14). Recurrent themes of change included: greater understanding about stuttering, increased confidence, increased child participation and more openness about and acceptance of stuttering. Group therapy participants reported the importance of community, while individual therapy participants reported increased family connection. All aspects of the broad Palin STSC(8-14) therapy programme were reported as valuable. Parents' involvement was viewed as a key contributor to meaningful change. Overall, findings showed the perceived gains from this holistic therapy approach for both group and individual family therapy were wide. These findings add to emerging quantitative evidence supporting Palin STSC(8-14) as a beneficial therapy approach for older school aged children who stutter, with children and parents reporting broad and positive changes from the therapy.
People who stutter (PWS) face public stigma, characterized by negative societal beliefs and stereotypes. Due to lack of awareness, PWS may be perceived as inferior and less intelligent, capable, and social, affecting their psychological well-being. While some aspects of the impact of stuttering-such as income, role entrapment, and discrimination-have been explored in previous research, less is known about the deeper personal experiences of PWS in working life. This study highlights the workplace experiences of PWS, their personal aspirations, and ideas for improvement. By understanding more of PWS' experiences and emotions related to communication at work, it is possible to create a more inclusive working life. Data were collected through an online survey from 45 Finnish participants over the age of 18 who stutter and have work experience. The data were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and thematic analysis. Over half the participants (n = 25, 56 %) reported that they do not speak openly about their stuttering within their current or previous work community. PWS described their experiences in terms of fears of public stigma, internalized stigma, and resisting stigma-driven assumptions. PWS expressed a desire for increased awareness of stuttering and for the promotion of greater inclusivity in working life. Negative experiences of PWS often reflect broader societal attitudes. Participants suggested implementing flexible communication strategies to create inclusive workplaces, reducing microaggressions, supporting productivity, and enhancing job satisfaction. Embracing communication diversity can unlock employee potential and foster inclusivity. Respecting privacy and not requiring disclosure of personal information is crucial.
Reproducibility is a core principle of science, and access to a study's data is essential to reproduce its findings. However, data sharing is uncommon in the discipline of communication sciences and disorders (CSD), often due to concerns related to privacy and disclosure risks. Synthetic data offer a potential solution to this barrier by generating artificial data sets that do not represent real individuals yet retain statistical properties and relationships from the original data. This study aimed to explore the feasibility and preliminary utility of synthetic data to promote transparency and reproducibility in the discipline of CSD. Ten open data sets were obtained from previously published research within the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association "Big Nine" domains (articulation, cognition, communication, fluency, hearing, language, social communication, voice and resonance, and swallowing) across a range of study outcomes and designs. Synthetic data sets were generated with the synthpop R package. General utility was assessed visually and with the standardized ratio of the propensity mean squared error (S_pMSE). Specific utility assessed whether inferential relationships from the original data were preserved in the synthetic data set by comparing model fit indices, coefficients, and p values. All synthetic data sets showed strong general utility, maintaining univariate and bivariate distributions. Six of nine synthetic data sets that used inferential statistics showed strong specific utility, maintaining inferential relationships from the original analysis. Specific utility was low in three data sets with hierarchical structures. Findings suggest that synthetic data can effectively maintain statistical properties and relationships across a wide range of nonhierarchical data commonly seen in the discipline of CSD. Other approaches for hierarchical data need to be explored in future work. Researchers who use synthetic data should assess its utility in preserving their results for their own data and use-case. https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.30569957.
Stuttering can significantly influence individuals' career trajectories through mechanisms such as role entrapment, occupational segregation, job dissatisfaction, and stigma-based discrimination. In professional contexts where verbal fluency is narrowly defined and highly valued, people who stutter (PWS) may face systemic barriers. This study examines how PWS experience, interpret, and negotiate the role of stuttering in recruitment processes, career choices, job roles and opportunities for advancement. An online survey and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) were used to examine responses from 45 Finnish-speaking adults who stutter and have work experience. Participants described restrictive workplace speech norms and expectations of fluency as key constraints that generated cognitive and emotional load. Many reported that stuttering had influenced their career pathways, including not entering preferred fields, although its perceived influence on occupational choices had lessened over time. Speaking-intensive tasks-such as phone work, presentations, and spontaneous verbal interaction-were identified as the most challenging. Fluent speakers were often perceived as gatekeepers who informally determined which roles were considered suitable for PWS, though some participants also self-restricted their job tasks. Experiences were highly situational, and a minority reported positive or empowering aspects of stuttering at work. The study concludes that discrimination often stems not from actual ability but from biased expectations and rigid norms surrounding fluent speech. These norms delay access to preferred professions and constrain career development. Promoting inclusion requires challenging dominant communication standards and recognizing diverse communicative competencies. Enhancing awareness and visibility of PWS in professional environments is essential for systemic change.
Digital health technologies offer new opportunities for cognitive screening and monitoring among older adults. In Thailand, where dementia prevalence is rising, accessible web-based cognitive tools remain limited despite their potential to facilitate early detection and community-based assessment. Understanding usability and validity is critical to ensure successful implementation in real-world contexts. This study aimed to develop and validate a web-based application, Healthy Brain Test, for cognitive and functional assessments in dementia screening among older Thai adults. Specific objectives were to (1) design user-centered cognitive modules covering key cognitive domains and (2) evaluate correlations between the web-based assessments and conventional clinical tools to determine diagnostic cutoffs for cognitive impairment. We designed Healthy Brain Test as a self-administered web application suitable for older users and their caregivers. The platform includes digital versions of the Thai Mental State Examination (e-TMSE), a clock drawing test, and a category verbal fluency test, along with electronic versions of the short form of the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE-16) and cognitive instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). Participants completed both web-based and paper-based assessments. Correlations between modalities were analyzed, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to determine sensitivity and specificity. Data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows, version 30.0 (IBM Corp) and MedCalc Statistical Software (MedCalc Software Ltd). A total of 198 older adults participated (women: 137/198, 69.2%; median age 69.4 years), with 57.1% (113/198) having more than 6 years of education. Of the 198 participants, 44 were diagnosed with major neurocognitive disorder, 58 were diagnosed with mild neurocognitive disorder, and 96 were cognitively normal. The e-TMSE showed strong agreement with the traditional TMSE (r=0.837; P<.001). Category verbal fluency, IQCODE-16, and IADL modules also demonstrated significant correlations (P<.001). The e-TMSE achieved an area under the ROC curve of 0.84 (bootstrapped 95% CI 0.78-0.89); a cutoff ≤23 provided 88.6% sensitivity and 70.1% specificity for identifying major neurocognitive disorder. Participants reported high ease of use and engagement during pilot testing. Healthy Brain Test demonstrated strong validity and usability as a web-based cognitive and functional assessment platform for dementia screening. Its integration of established cognitive measures into a digital interface enables remote, accessible, and user-friendly evaluation for older adults and caregivers. Future research should assess long-term feasibility, user adherence, and integration with clinical workflows to support large-scale screening initiatives.
Repetitions, prolongations, and blocks, as canonical categories of stuttering disfluencies, have long been characterized on auditory-perceptual grounds, while the articulatory behaviors giving rise to them remain poorly understood. This study investigates the articulatory basis of these disfluencies, and assesses how the underlying articulatory patterns relate to perceptual disfluency types (i.e., repetitions, prolongations, blocks) and the phonological features of stuttered segments. Speech production of seven adults who stutter was recorded using real-time MRI. We extracted the time-varying constriction trajectories of the primary oral articulator for stuttered tokens of labial, alveolar, and velar consonants, as well as the constriction trajectories of the velum. K-medoids clustering with dynamic time warping distance was used to identify recurrent patterns. Two constriction patterns of the primary oral articulator were observed consistently across participants: fixation, characterized by an extended constriction period, and oscillation, characterized by repeated constriction-release cycles. Velic constriction trajectories did not show stuttering-related patterns but simply reflected the nasality of the stuttered segment. The mapping between articulatory constriction patterns and perceptual disfluency types was many-to-one and one-to-many. Crucially, this mapping was influenced by the manner of the stuttered segment. State stuttering is characterized by two stable articulatory patterns: fixation and oscillation of the primary oral articulator. Their mappings to perceptual disfluency types are not in a simple one-to-one correspondence and also depend on the phonological task being executed. These findings point to a principled organization in the articulation of stuttering, enriching our understanding of the phenomenon beyond its perceptual surface.
Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) refers to the anxiety of missing potential experiences or opportunities. This study examined FoMO levels between people who stutter (PWS) and people who do not stutter (PWNS), explored the relationship between FoMO and psychological resilience in PWS and PWNS, and assessed the influence of age and gender on FoMO. The sample of this study consisted of 145 adults, including 65 PWS, 80 PWNS. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Fear of Missing Out Scale for University Students, and the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). Analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS 26.0 with a multivariate Generalized Linear Model (GLM) and correlation analyses. PWS scored significantly higher in the social dimension of FoMO, suggesting that PWS may experience greater anxiety about missing out in social contexts compared to PWNS. No significant differences were found between PWS and PWNS in terms of their total or private FoMO scores. Age and gender did not significantly affect FoMO scores. In contrast, PWS exhibited significantly lower psychological resilience compared to PWNS. While age had no significant impact on resilience, gender showed a significant effect on resilience in both groups. Men had significantly higher levels of psychological resilience than women. Additionally, a negative correlation was observed between FoMO and psychological resilience in both groups, suggesting that higher FoMO is associated with lower resilience. These results underscore the importance of addressing social challenges faced by PWS and enhancing psychological resilience through targeted psychosocial interventions. Promoting inclusive social participation may help mitigate FoMO-related anxiety and improve overall well-being in PWS.
While numerous studies have evaluated primary school teachers' understanding of stuttering, the knowledge of secondary school teachers, particularly in Saudi Arabia, remains underexplored. This descriptive cross-sectional survey study aimed to assess the knowledge and experiences of Saudi Arabian secondary school teachers who were currently working with, or had previously worked with, adolescents who stutter. A total of 90 Saudi Arabian secondary school teachers participated in an online survey divided into three sections. Section one collected participant demographic information. In the second section, the Arabic version of the Alabama Stuttering Knowledge Test was used to evaluate secondary school teachers' knowledge of stuttering. The third section, developed through a review of relevant literature, explored secondary school teachers' experience working with adolescents who stutter. The overall mean knowledge score was 13.73. Most participants expressed high confidence in their abilities to work with and support adolescents who stutter. Most participants did not believe that having adolescents who stutter in their classrooms affected their teaching style or their interactions with them. Participants utilised diverse approaches to promote inclusiveness in the classroom and support adolescents who stutter. Furthermore, most participants frequently rated the effectiveness of various strategies for managing stuttering in the classroom as "very effective". Saudi Arabian secondary school teachers hold misconceptions about the causes of stuttering and lack collaboration with speech-language pathologists. This indicates a need for targeted training programmes to expand their knowledge and equip them with effective approaches to support adolescents who stutter in educational settings.
Cluttering is a speech fluency disorder that is frequently undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. While existing research has focused mainly on diagnosis and treatment, little attention has been given to its impact on individuals. This scoping review aimed to present the available evidence on the personal impacts of cluttering. Studies were included if they involved individuals with cluttering or caregivers of children with cluttering. The review focused on broad impacts across all cultures and locations. Grey literature, particularly in the form of podcasts, was emphasised. Searches were conducted in Medline, CINAHL, Embase, ERIC, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google (for podcast series) between June and October 2024. Abstracts and full texts were screened by two reviewers, with a third checking a subset. Data extraction followed a deductive framework (Physical, Cognitive, Psychological, Communication, Social, Work, Education), with inductive analysis used to identify final themes and subthemes. Of 174 titles retrieved, 128 were reviewed after removing duplicates. Following full-text screening, 27 records were included - 17 of which were podcasts. People with cluttering face a mix of physical, cognitive, and psychological challenges that affect communication and social interactions. Many fear speaking, avoid communication, experience social isolation and have a negative self-perception. In education and work, cluttering can hinder participation, performance, and career progression. Cluttering affects many aspects of life. Speech Language Pathologists must address these broader impacts and help to foster supportive educational and home environments to improve outcomes.