The effectiveness of a training program to improve speech fluency for people with stuttering disorder، enhanced by delay time auditory feedback and frequency modulation (DAF-FAF) techniques

Abstract

The aim of the research was to develop a training program to improve speech fluency for university students with stuttering disorder، enhanced with assistive techniques. The literature on stuttering disorder، programs، and assistive therapeutic techniques for Delayed Auditory Feedback (DAF) and Frequency Altered Feedback (FAF) were reviewed. Then، a student case study card، a stuttering scale، and a training program (24) sessions were prepared. Then، it was reinforced with assistive techniques in two implementation phases during (8) sessions. The tools and program were scientifically controlled. The tools were applied pre-test on the research sample، which consisted of (5) students. Then، they were trained during (24) sessions with the traditional behavioral training program. The stuttering scale was applied to them as an initial post-test. Then، they were trained with assistive techniques during (8) sessions، and the stuttering scale was applied to them as a second post-test. To verify the effectiveness of both programs، the Blake's ratio for the adjusted gain of the traditional program was calculated، which was (1.1) a ratio indicating its limited effectiveness. The gain ratio of the program after being enhanced with supportive technologies was also calculated، which was (4.6), a ratio indicating its effectiveness. The Wilcoxon test was used to calculate the significance of the differences between the effects of the two programs، the traditional and the technology-enhanced program. The calculated Z value was (2.8), which is a statistically significant value (at the 0.05 level) indicating the presence of significant differences in the level of improvement of the research sample in favor of their training in the technology-enhanced program.