Speech production gains following constraint-induced movement therapy in children with hemiparesis

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in speech skills of children who have hemiparesis and speech impairment after participation in a constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) program. While case studies have reported collateral speech gains following CIMT, the effect of CIMT on speech production has not previously been directly investigated to the knowledge of these investigators.

Eighteen children with hemiparesis and co-occurring speech impairment participated in a 21-day clinical CIMT program. The Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation-2 (GFTA-2) was used to assess children's articulation of speech sounds before and after the intervention. Changes in percent of consonants correct (PCC) on the GFTA-2 were used as a measure of change in speech production.

Children made significant gains in PCC following CIMT. Gains were similar in children with left and right-sided hemiparesis, and across age groups.

This study reports significant collateral gains in speech production following CIMT and suggests benefits of CIMT may also spread to speech motor domains.