The Impact of Telehealth on the Efficacy of Sound Production Treatment

Abstract

Purpose: This investigation was designed to systematically examine the acquisition, maintenance, and response generalization effects of Sound Production Treatment (SPT) delivered via telehealth in comparison to existing in-person outcomes for SPT. Method: A multiple-baseline design across behaviors and participants was used with two individuals with chronic apraxia of speech (AOS) and aphasia. Accuracy of target speech sounds in treated and untreated words within phrases served as the dependent variable. Results: Both participants demonstrated positive gains for treatment and generalization items. Participant 1 demonstrated gains for both sets of treatment items with the application of treatment, but production accuracy at 2 and 6 weeks posttreatment was inconsistent. Participant 2 demonstrated large gains for both sets of treatment items with good maintenance at 2 and 6 weeks posttreatment. Effect sizes for both participants were similar to the traditional (in-person) SPT effect size benchmarks. Conclusions: The positive outcomes from this study indicate that individuals with AOS can benefit from SPT delivered via telehealth. These findings warrant further research examining the effects of SPT through telehealth and should include individuals with AOS with varying severity. This investigation serves as the first telehealth study to systematically examine treatment outcomes for SPT.