Carry-over fluency induced by extreme prolongations: A new behavioral paradigm

Area of Science:

• Speech and Language Pathology
• Neuroscience
• Behavioral Therapy

Background:

• Extreme delayed auditory feedback (DAF) and cognitive timing applications are established techniques for stuttering inhibition.
• Current therapies often reduce prolonged speech rates prematurely, leading to relapse.
• The potential of extreme prolongations for establishing long-term carry-over fluency is often overlooked.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the hypothesis that prolonged use of extreme prolongations can establish neural pathways for fluent speech.
• To explore the potential of extreme prolongations as a solitary practice method for achieving sustained carry-over fluency.
• To challenge the conventional approach of normalizing speech rates prematurely in stuttering therapy.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing extreme prolongations (250-500 ms DAF or 2s/syllable cognitive timing) as a primary therapeutic tool.
• Focusing on the extent of carry-over fluency achieved with prolonged use of extreme prolongations.
• Postulating the development of new neural pathways through consistent application of this technique.

Main Results:

• Extreme prolongations effectively generate immediate, forward-flowing fluent speech.
• Prolonged use of extreme prolongations leads to significant carry-over fluency.
• The departure from these fluency-generating techniques is linked to stuttering relapse.

Conclusions:

• Extreme prolongations offer a distinct pathway to fluency, distinct from normalizing speech rates.
• Continued practice with extreme prolongations may foster neural adaptations for effortless, mediated-free fluent speech.
• This approach holds the potential to reduce stuttering occurrences by establishing robust carry-over fluency.