A descriptive analysis of assessment measures on the effectiveness of a comprehensive stuttering intervention approach: A single case study

Abstract

Background: For effective client outcomes, stuttering assessment and intervention approaches need to be aligned. This encompasses using assessment and intervention approaches that address the three multidimensional constructs of stuttering, namely core behaviours, secondary behaviours and negative feelings and attitudes.

Objective: The study aimed to explore whether multiple assessment measures could be used to describe the effectiveness of a comprehensive stuttering intervention approach, undergirded by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework.

Method: A single-subject case design was employed with one male adult who stutters. Data was collected by administering the Stuttering Severity Instrument-Fourth Edition (SSI-4) and Overall Assessment of the Speaker’s Experience of Stuttering-Adults (OASES-A) at three testing periods (pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention and 7 months post-intervention), and a semi-structured interview schedule immediately post-intervention. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the SSI-4 and OASES-A, and thematic analysis was conducted to evaluate the participant’s interview schedule responses.

Results: The participant’s total scores, impact scores and severity ratings of both the SSI-4 and OASES decreased across the three testing periods. The main theme of effectiveness of the comprehensive stuttering intervention to reduce aspects of disability emerged from the participant’s responses.

Conclusion: Evaluation of the results from the assessment measures revealed that the comprehensive stuttering intervention approach was effective in reducing the participant’s core behaviours, secondary behaviours and negative feelings and attitudes. Assessment and management of fluency disorders should promote a client-specific multidimensional approach that extends beyond the core behaviours and secondary behaviours, by addressing the underlying social and emotional facets of fluency disorders.