Clinical Research Directory
Browse clinical research sites, groups, and studies.
Expiratory Muscle Strength Training for Hypernasal Speech in Children
Sponsor: Noel Jabbour
Summary
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.
Official title: Expiratory Muscle Strength Training as a Non-surgical Option for Velopharyngeal Dysfunction: A Randomized-controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
5 Years - 17 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
30
Start Date
2025-03-03
Completion Date
2027-11
Last Updated
2025-07-22
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Expiratory Muscle Strength Training
At visit 1, participants will be block randomized based on PWSS score (5-6 or 7+) to Expiratory Muscle Strength Training (EMST) for 6 to 8 weeks or no exercises. Participants in the EMST-150 group will perform 5 sets of 5 resistive expirations once a day with a 10-15 second rest between each repetition and a 1-2 minute rest between each set of 5 repetitions.
Maintenance Training
At visit 2, participants with improved (decreased) CAPS-A hypernasality rating of 1 or more points, for whom the family and/or surgeon is not currently considering surgical intervention for VPI, will be further randomized to continue "maintenance" EMST exercises or no exercises for 6 months. Participants in the "maintenance" group will complete 3-5 sessions exercise sessions each week (rather than daily training), with 2 sets of 5 resistive expirations (rather than 5 sets)
Locations (1)
UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States