Reduction of stuttering by young male stutterers using EMG feedback

Abstract

A clinical program was designed in which male stutterers (age 10–14 years) were trained to reduce speech muscle tension by application of electromyograph (EMG) feedback. The program was designed (a) to reduce nonspeech EMG activity of facial muscles involved in speech, (b) to use this skill for control of muscle EMG activity while speaking, (c) to maintain the physiological EMG activity reduction with behavioral self-control techniques. Three subjects were treated on a single-subject ABCD baseline design, with an ABABAB reversal design within the treatment (B) phase. EMG feedback was shown to reduce stuttering in the clinic. After maintenance techniques were taught, stuttering was shown to have reduced 60–80% in the home environment while speech rate remained constant or increased. A 9-month follow-up showed that the improvement produced in treatment was continuing.