Document Type : Original Articles
Author
MSc, Department of Speech Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Considering such therapeutic factors as the length of intervention, regression of the disorder and its characteristic feature, investigation on finding appropriate treatment strategies and methods for stuttering seems to be important. Acupuncture has been introduced as a therapeutic method for treating stuttering. The aim of present study was to determine the results of laser acupuncture as an intervention method and to compare it with routine speech therapy in the treatment of the persons who stutter.Materials and Methods: 20 stutterers and 20 non-stutterers participated in this clinical controlled trial study. 10 persons with developmental stuttering, who underwent laser acupuncture, were compared with 10 control subjects who only received routine speech therapy and placebo laser. All subjects were followed up at 12th week post-test. Data were statistically analyzed through independent t test and repeated measure ANOVA using SPSS version 10.Results: Study results showed that speech therapy accompanied by laser acupuncture would result in increased maintenance time and effectiveness of stuttering treatment and decreased rate of regression. Speech rate and the percent of stuttered words were decreased after the end of intervention in both A and B groups but the follow-up assessment at 12th week post-test revealed that treatment results were significantly more stable in laser group in the other one.Conclusion: The results of present study showed that using laser acupuncture therapy along with speech therapy is more efficacious in treating the disorder and can prevent the common problem of stuttering regression.Keywords: Stuttering, Acupuncture, Laser, Treatment, Outcome