SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY

Research for speech-language pathology

Papers a speech-language pathologist can act on — aphasia, dysphagia, developmental language, fluency, voice and augmentative communication — read in full and summarised plainly.

10,216 PAPERS · PAGE 52 OF 205 · NEWEST FIRST

• SLPOther2020Age-variant and age-invariant features of functional brain organization in middle-aged and older autistic adults.Molecular autismSome brain aging patterns were similar in autistic and comparison adults. A connection between brain regions active at rest weakened with age in comparison adults but not autistic adults. Social task scores did not differ by age or group.
• SLPCohort2020Pharmacokinetics and other risk factors for kanamycin-induced hearing loss in patients with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis.International journal of audiology84 of 102 adults receiving multi-drug MDR-TB therapy that included kanamycin developed hearing loss on ultra-high frequency tests. Higher kanamycin exposure was linked with hearing loss.
• SLPSurvey2019Management of adult patients with tinnitus: Preparedness, perspectives and practices of audiologists.The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir Kommunikasieafwykings42% of South African audiologists and speech therapists who treat tinnitus disagreed they were sufficiently prepared, and 12.3% had specialist training in assessment. 59.5% did not use guidelines or policies for assessment.
• OTSLPQualitative2020'When my autism broke': A qualitative study spotlighting autistic voices on menopause.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic participants said menopause brought on or worsened sensory sensitivity, executive function problems, sleep problems, self-care struggles, mood difficulties and social communication strain. They described clinicians as lacking knowledge and interest, leaving them to seek peer and online support.
• SLPOther2020Spectral Contrast Effects Reveal Different Acoustic Cues for Vowel Recognition in Cochlear-Implant Users.Ear and hearingCochlear-implant users rely on coarse spectral cues like overall energy distribution to identify vowels, while normal-hearing listeners use fine-grained formant details. This shift explains why implant users are more affected by preceding acoustic contexts, potentially contributing to their difficulty in noisy environments.
• SLPCohort2020Emergent life events in the delivery of a caregiver-mediated evidence-based intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder in publicly funded mental health services.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceUnexpected life crises appeared in 36% of early therapy sessions for children with autism. More child diagnoses predicted more crises, while more experienced clinicians reported fewer. Contrary to some prior studies, these crises did not reduce clinician adherence to the treatment plan in that session.
• SLPOther2020Reduced nonverbal interpersonal synchrony in autism spectrum disorder independent of partner diagnosis: a motion energy study.Molecular autismDyads involving an autistic adult showed less whole-body movement synchrony during conversations than typical-typical dyads. Autistic-autistic dyads were not more synchronised than mixed dyads, so partner diagnosis did not restore smooth coordination.
• SLPPilot2020A preliminary investigation of cognitive intolerance and neuroimaging among adolescents returning to school after concussion.Brain injuryIn adolescents recovering from concussion, higher reported cognitive symptoms were linked to lower white matter integrity on brain scans. This pilot suggests a link between symptom burden and brain structure, but does not prove a test can diagnose cognitive intolerance yet.
• SLPSurvey2019Shifting and transforming the practice of audiology: The inclusion of traditional healing.The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir KommunikasieafwykingsOf 41 South African audiologists, twenty-eight did not ask clients about traditional healing, while thirteen did. Twenty-seven would not refer to traditional healers, and thirty-nine said they accommodated cultural and religious beliefs.
• SLPCohort2019Prevalence and associated prenatal and perinatal risk factors for oropharyngeal dysphagia in high-risk neonates in a South African hospital.The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir KommunikasieafwykingsAlmost two-thirds of medically stable high-risk neonates had swallowing difficulties. Breech birth, septicaemia, prolonged incubator use and neurological conditions were linked to higher risk. These infants need speech-language therapy assessment before discharge, not only after obvious feeding failure.
• SLPSystematic Review2019Towards a South African model of language-based learning disability.The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir KommunikasieafwykingsThis paper proposes a theoretical model for distinguishing language-based learning disabilities from language differences in South African learners. It outlines risk factors like poverty and multilingualism but reports no clinical trial results or validated diagnostic tools.
• SLPNarrative Review2019Socioeconomic and experiential influences on the neurobiology of language development.Perspectives of the ASHA special interest groupsThis is a narrative review, not an original study, so it provides no new finding to change practice.
• SLPNarrative Review2019Optimal Contexts for Verb Learning.Perspectives of the ASHA special interest groupsNo new evidence is reported. This narrative review summarizes existing verb-learning research and suggests intervention considerations.
• SLPSurvey2019Infection prevention and control measures in audiology practice within public healthcare facilities in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa.The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir KommunikasieafwykingsAudiologists and speech therapists in South African public clinics report variable infection control. Fewer washed hands before than after patients, gloves were often not worn for every patient, and most did not disinfect touch surfaces or toys after each appointment.
• SLPOther2020Population-based age adjustment tables for use in occupational hearing conservation programs.International journal of audiologyCurrent occupational hearing age-adjustment tables overestimate age-related hearing decline. Newer population-based tables matched later hearing changes in workers better and extended beyond the old age limit.
• SLPRCT2020Effects of pivotal response treatment on reciprocal vocal contingency in a randomized controlled trial of children with autism spectrum disorder.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceChildren receiving Pivotal Response Treatment plus parent training showed higher vocal reciprocity with adults after 24 weeks compared to controls. No significant difference was found at baseline or after 12 weeks. This suggests the treatment effect on spontaneous speech interaction emerges with sustained intervention.
• SLPOther2020Moving Toward Non-transcription based Discourse Analysis in Stable and Progressive Aphasia.Seminars in speech and languageSome discourse measures may be scored without full transcription and distinguished stable aphasia and PPA from controls. In 15 preliminary participants who received naming therapy and active or sham brain stimulation, accurate main concepts increased.
• OTSLPCohort2020Sluggish cognitive tempo: An examination of clinical correlates for adults with autism.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceIn young adults with autism, sluggish cognitive tempo symptoms strongly predicted depression but not anxiety. These symptoms were distinct from ADHD hyperactivity but linked to ADHD inattention. Sluggishness predicted poorer performance on complex executive function tasks requiring verbal explanation, but not simpler sorting tasks.
• SLPSurvey2020A framework of evidence-based practice for digital support, co-developed with and for the autism community.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAn autism community panel agreed that choosing digital supports should check reliability, engagement and effectiveness. For SLPs, it says ask an expert, read academic papers and user reviews. It does not prove any app works.
• SLPMeta-Analysis2020Early Speech and Language Development in Children With Nonsyndromic Cleft Lip and/or Palate: A Meta-Analysis.Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHRChildren with nonsyndromic cleft lip and/or palate show persistent speech and language delays from toddlerhood through age 8. Receptive language deficits remain even when standardized scores appear normal, so rely on parent reports and naturalistic samples to identify functional issues.
• PTOTSLPCohort2020Trajectories of Change in the Behavioral and Health Phenotype of Adolescents and Adults with Fragile X Syndrome and Intellectual Disability: Longitudinal Trends Over a Decade.Journal of autism and developmental disordersDaily living skills improved through adolescence but plateaued or declined in the 30s. Behavior problems decreased overall but remained clinically significant for many. BMI and health conditions increased steadily over the decade. Higher autism symptoms predicted worse starting independence and behavior.
• SLPOther2020Speech Perception in Classroom Acoustics by Children With Hearing Loss and Wearing Hearing Aids.American journal of audiologyChildren with hearing aids understood speech better as classroom reverberation shortened. Above 90% correct scores were absent in 0.9-s reverberation and appeared at more, and lower, SNRs in 0.3-s reverberation. Sound-booth scores may overestimate classroom ability.
• SLPCohort2020Low-Frequency Hearing Preservation With Long Electrode Arrays: Inclusion of Unaided Hearing Threshold Assessment in the Postoperative Test Battery.American journal of audiologyCochlear implant recipients with preoperative low-frequency hearing often lost 125-Hz response at activation, but some later thresholds improved into the EAS fitting range. Testing only at activation can miss candidates.
• SLPRCT2019Intervention focus moderates the association between initial receptive language and language outcomes for toddlers with developmental delay.Augmentative and alternative communication (Baltimore, Md. : 1985)For toddlers with developmental delay who were not yet talking, initial understanding strongly predicted later language scores. Among three parent-implemented interventions, input-focused augmented communication linked understanding most strongly to overall expressive language, output-focused linked it to target vocabulary, and spoken-only showed little target vocabulary use.
• SLPSurvey2019Knowledge of final year medicine, pharmacy, audiology and nursing students in South Africa on drug-induced ototoxicity: A pilot study.The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir KommunikasieafwykingsFinal year health students in South Africa often cannot identify signs of drug-induced hearing loss or know when to refer for monitoring. Many believe hearing checks should only happen after treatment ends, missing the window to prevent permanent damage.
• SLPCohort2020Evaluating the Role of Autistic Traits, Social Anxiety, and Social Network Changes During Transition to First Year of University in Typically Developing Students and Students on the Autism Spectrum.Journal of autism and developmental disordersLower social anxiety across the first year was linked to better university adjustment in both groups. In typically developing students, higher autistic traits linked to poorer social adjustment. Changes in social networks or perceived support were less consistently linked, and the autism group was small.
• SLPOther2020Using AphasiaBank for Discourse Assessment.Seminars in speech and languageAphasiaBank provides automated tools for analyzing discourse in people with aphasia. Main concept checklists and core lexicons allow objective scoring of essential content and typical word usage. CLAN commands automate complex metrics like communicative efficiency and grammatical analysis, reducing transcription time.
• PTOTSLPCase Report2020Physical therapy prehabilitation on a reverse total shoulder replacement candidate: a case study.Journal of physical therapy scienceA single patient with severe shoulder pain and a recommended replacement surgery completed five weeks of physical therapy exercises. He reported improved mobility and pain relief, leading him to indefinitely postpone the operation.
• SLPNarrative Review2020A Compendium of Core Lexicon Checklists.Seminars in speech and languageCoreLex checklists for aphasia story and picture tasks are now gathered in one place. They can help SLPs track which common words a patient produces, but each checklist was built differently, so choose one that matches the task and patient.
• SLPQualitative2020Peer Relationship Experiences Of Deaf And Hard-Of-Hearing Adolescents.Journal of deaf studies and deaf educationMost deaf and hard-of-hearing adolescents interviewed felt accepted by peers, but many recalled primary-school bullying and said making new friends was harder when others did not know about their hearing loss.
• SLPCohort2020Adult Manifestation of Milder Forms of Autism Spectrum Disorder; Autistic and Non-autistic Psychopathology.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParent and self reports showed more autistic traits in adults with earlier milder autism diagnoses, but most did not meet standard observation criteria. Comorbidity and education were similar, while they used more mental health care and medication.
• PTOTSLPCohort2020Links between self-injury and suicidality in autism.Molecular autismAutistic adults with a history of self-injury reported significantly more suicide ideation and attempts than those without, regardless of whether they viewed their self-injury as a problem. Cutting was associated with higher suicide risk, while hitting or scratching was not.
• SLPNarrative Review2020Can Script Training Improve Narrative and Conversation in Aphasia across Etiology?Seminars in speech and languageScript training improves spoken language in aphasia by turning rehearsed narratives into automatic speech. It works for stroke-induced and progressive aphasia, using video or audio models to guide practice in therapy or at home.
• SLPCase Series2020Efficacy of Group Conversation Intervention in Individuals with Severe Profiles of Aphasia.Seminars in speech and languageFive people with severe aphasia improved on different measures after conversation treatment. Some standardized language gains did not last six weeks, and no single test captured everyone's change. Self-report and conversation measures varied.
• SLPCase-Control2020Neural Mechanisms of Social and Nonsocial Reward Prediction Errors in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchAdolescents with autism showed different brain activation when social rewards were unexpected, but not when object rewards were unexpected. Links to reaction time and nonverbal communication skills did not hold after checking many tests. No therapy effect was tested.
• SLPQualitative2020Relationships Among Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing Siblings: Developing a Sense of Self.Journal of deaf studies and deaf educationTen young adults with hearing loss described having a sibling with hearing loss as a source of closeness and identity support. They felt less isolated because they shared an experience of being different. Parents' attitudes to deafness shaped whether siblings felt close or distant.
• SLPOther2020Identifying Cochlear Implant Channels With Relatively Poor Electrode-Neuron Interfaces Using the Electrically Evoked Compound Action Potential.Ear and hearingWithin a single ear, electrically evoked compound action potential (ECAP) thresholds and growth slopes reliably flagged channels with poor behavioral thresholds. This offers audiologists a quick, objective way to spot weak electrodes without lengthy psychophysical testing.
• SLPNarrative Review2020To Lump or to Split? Possible Subtypes of Apraxia of Speech.AphasiologyThe evidence does not settle whether apraxia of speech is a uniform motor planning problem. Phonetic and prosodic subtypes have some support in progressive forms, but are not established for stroke-based apraxia of speech.
• SLPSurvey2020The role of emotion regulation and core autism symptoms in the experience of anxiety in autism.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceEmotion regulation problems were linked to higher parent-reported anxiety in young people with autism, in a sample that included those with intellectual disability. The study cannot show that regulation problems caused anxiety.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2020Balance and preference in activity participation for informal caregivers of people with aphasia: A questionnaire study.AphasiologyCaregivers of people with aphasia do fewer social and leisure activities than non-caregivers, but want to do more of the same things everyone else wants: socializing, traveling, and resting. Community integration scores showed no significant difference between the groups.
• SLPOther2020Verbal fluency as a measure of lexical access and cognitive control in bilingual persons with aphasia.AphasiologyBilingual people with aphasia performed as well as healthy controls when allowed to switch languages freely. However, they struggled significantly more than controls when forced to switch languages for every word. This suggests that rigid language constraints increase cognitive load and hinder word retrieval.
• SLPCase Series2020Genes Implicated in Rare Congenital Inner Ear and Cochleovestibular Nerve Malformations.Ear and hearingRare DNA variants in candidate genes were found in some children with absent or small cochleovestibular nerves, but not in four families. Device outcomes varied, so these genes are not yet usable predictors.
• SLPOther2020Young children's narrative retell in response to static and animated stories.International journal of language & communication disordersTypically developing children aged 3 to 5 told longer stories with more words and more complex sentences after animated videos than static picture books. Story grammar and a sentence and phrase score did not differ. Consider prompt format when assessing narrative retells.
• PTOTSLPRCT2020Predictors of cognitive development in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 and plexiform neurofibromas.Developmental medicine and child neurologyChildren with NF1 and plexiform neurofibromas show widening gaps in math, writing, and executive function over time. Those with parents who also have NF1 or lower parental education decline fastest. Regular school-based assessments and targeted support are critical.
• SLPOther2020Grammatical Ability Predicts Relative Action Naming Impairment in Primary Progressive Aphasia.AphasiologyIn people with primary progressive aphasia, poorer grammar was linked to more trouble naming actions than objects. The link was strongest when word meaning knowledge was also lower. This does not show that verb-focused therapy works.
• SLPCase-Control2020An association of intrapartum synthetic oxytocin dosing and the odds of developing autism.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceHigh cumulative synthetic oxytocin dose (5493 mU or more) was linked to autism overall and in boys; girls showed no link. The study cannot show cause.
• SLPSurvey2020Quantifying compensatory strategies in adults with and without diagnosed autism.Molecular autismAdults with and without autism described multiple ways they manage social situations. Diagnosed adults reported more learned social rules, but diagnosis did not predict these strategies once autistic traits and education were considered.
• SLPOther2020Neural Representation of Loudness: Cortical Evoked Potentials in an Induced Loudness Reduction Experiment.Trends in hearingIn 12 normal-hearing adults, a loud preceding tone made a later identical tone seem quieter. An early brain response, N1-P2, tracked that perceived loudness, while later responses did not.
• SLPOther2020Benefits of Beamforming With Local Spatial-Cue Preservation for Speech Localization and Segregation.Trends in hearingAdding natural two-ear spatial cues to directional microphone processing helped normal-hearing and hearing-impaired listeners localize words and understand speech among competing talkers in a lab test.
• SLPCase-Control2020Reduced White Matter Integrity and Deficits in Neuropsychological Functioning in Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchAdults with autism had lower white matter integrity in long-range tracts and poorer cognitive scores than matched controls. The integrity measures did not track with cognition or symptoms, so they did not explain the deficits.