Rhythmic speech training with preschool stuttering children: An experimental study

This preliminary study intended to assess the applicability and effectiveness of metronome-paced speech training in treating stuttering exhibited by preschool-aged children. Three subjects received intensive rhythmic speech training aided by a desktop metronome during 5 wk. A detailed description of the clinical methodology which was established is included in the report. Speech was evaluated before therapy, after therapy, and after a "rest" (no therapy) period. All three subjects who were trained with metronomic signals were able to speak rhythmically and showed improvement that warrants further experimentation with the method.