Executive functions in stuttering across the life span: A scoping review of behavioral and caregiver-reported...

Developmental stuttering is a multifactorial speech disorder that emerges during early childhood and can persist into adulthood, affecting communication, social participation, and quality of life. Recent research has increasingly focused on the role of executive functions (EFs)-including working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility-in the onset and persistence of stuttering. This scoping review systematically maps the existing literature on EFs in monolingual individuals who stutter across the lifespan, synthesizing findings from 89 studies published between 1993 and 2024. Studies were identified through comprehensive searches of major databases and screened according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The review highlights methodological diversity, participant characteristics, and thematic trends in the assessment of EFs using behavioral tasks and parent-report measures. While findings are often inconsistent, a substantial body of evidence suggests that people who stutter may demonstrate diminished performance in one or more EF domains, particularly working memory and cognitive flexibility. Notably, only a few studies have examined all three core EF components simultaneously, and intervention studies remain limited. The review identifies key gaps in the literature, including the need for studies that could provide a longitudinal and comprehensive insight of all components of EFs within homogeneous populations, as well as further EF-based intervention research in stuttering. These insights underscore the potential of EF-focused approaches to enhance stuttering assessment and treatment.