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Effectiveness of Virtually Simulated Intervention for Patients Having Stuttering
Sponsor: Riphah International University
Summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally appropriate virtual reality (VR)-based speech restructuring intervention for individuals with stuttering in Pakistan. The intervention consists of five VR scenarios representing common real-life communication situations, incorporating graded difficulty levels, speech restructuring techniques, relaxation exercises, interactive avatars, and realistic audiovisual elements. Eligible participants with stuttering will be randomly allocated to an experimental group receiving the VR-based speech restructuring intervention or a control group. Participants in the experimental group will receive 16 therapy sessions using the developed VR scenarios. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, during the intervention, and after completion of the intervention to evaluate changes in stuttering severity, speech fluency, communication attitudes, associated motor behaviors, physiological factors, and sense of presence within the virtual environment. The study will determine whether the VR-based intervention is effective in improving speech fluency and reducing the severity and associated features of stuttering compared with the control condition. The findings will provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of VR-based speech restructuring as a culturally appropriate intervention for individuals with stuttering.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
13 Years - 35 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
44
Start Date
2026-10-25
Completion Date
2026-12-15
Last Updated
2026-09-28
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Virtually Simulated Intervention
A standardized, virtually simulated intervention comprising 2D video-based communication scenarios delivered using a Meta Quest 2 virtual reality headset. Participants viewed and controlled the playback of the simulated scenarios during therapy sessions according to the study protocol. Participants will receive intervention 3 days/week for 25 minutes. A total of 16 sessions will be conducted.
Traditional Speech Therapy
Participants in the control group will receive traditional speech intervention for stuttering without the use of virtual reality. The intervention will involve therapist-guided practice of speech restructuring techniques in clinics by using scenario-based solutions. Participants will receive intervention sessions according to the same treatment schedule and duration as the experimental group. The intervention will focus on improving speech fluency and reducing the severity of stuttering through structured practice and application of speech restructuring techniques in everyday communication situations.
Locations (1)
National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine
Islamabad, Pakistan