The Development of Conversation Training Therapy: A Concept Paper

Area of Science:

• Speech-language pathology
• Voice disorders
• Motor learning theory

Background:

• Traditional voice therapy often relies on hierarchical exercises.
• A need exists for innovative voice therapy approaches focusing on naturalistic communication.
• Patient-centered care is crucial in developing effective therapeutic interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce Conversation Training Therapy (CTT), a novel voice therapy approach.
• To outline the conceptual, theoretical, and practical foundations of CTT.
• To highlight CTT's focus on voice awareness and efficient voice production within conversational narrative.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, clinical consensus design was employed.
• An initial CTT framework was developed incorporating six tenets.
• Expert speech-language pathologists and patients contributed to refining the CTT approach through consensus and interviews.

Main Results:

• The CTT approach was refined based on expert consensus recommendations.
• Modifications included enhancing program detail, rationale, and troubleshooting guidance.
• Consideration was given to potential challenges for novice clinicians.

Conclusions:

• CTT is a novel voice therapy approach founded on motor learning principles.
• It uniquely employs patient-driven conversational narrative as the primary therapeutic stimulus.
• CTT was co-developed by expert clinicians and patients, representing an innovative departure from traditional therapeutic hierarchies.