PURPOSE:To analyze whether children with phonological disorder present alterations in the neural coding of speech, using Frequency Following Response (FFR) under monaural and binaural conditions. METHODS:This is an analytical, observational, cross-sectional study with a sample of 21 children with phonological disorders and 21 with typical development. They underwent the following procedures: medical history survey, phonological assessment, inspection of the external auditory canal, and audiological and electrophysiological evaluation, performed in one or two sessions. FFR was performed with the speech stimulus /da/, in two sweeps of 3000 stimuli at 80 dB HL, with a rate of 10.9 stimuli/second, a duration of 40 ms, and an analysis window of 74.677 ms. RESULTS:Children with phonological disorders presented higher latency values in all conditions than those with typical development, with statistical significance in the latency of wave V, and lower amplitudes than those with typical development, although without statistical significance. In terms of stimulus presentation, the binaural condition showed significantly larger amplitudes than the monaural conditions, suggesting the presence of a binaural summation effect. CONCLUSION:Children with phonological disorders present alterations in speech encoding, evidenced by delays in FFR responses under both monaural and binaural conditions.
PURPOSE:Considering the clinical need for greater assessment efficiency, this study aimed to present the short version of the MBGR Protocol, addressing the stages of content-based validity evidence and response process validation. METHODS:A preliminary version of the reduced MBGR Protocol was developed based on the original version and subjected to the Delphi methodology. Content validation was conducted in two rounds, using a Likert scale to assess the relevance and representativeness of the items. The Content Validity Index (CVI) was calculated. For the response process validation, 11 speech- language pathologists (SLPs) were trained, and the protocol was applied to 11 patients, with video recording. Subsequently, the professionals completed a questionnaire, and the responses were analyzed and discussed with an expert committee. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the reduced and original versions, using paired t-tests or the Wilcoxon test, with a significance level set at p<0.05. RESULTS:The initial proposal of the reduced protocol included 36 items. Of the 11 invited experts, seven analyzed and provided feedback on each item, leading to the exclusion of 17 items. The content validity evidence yielded a global CVI of 87%. During the response process evaluation, the SLPs reported adequate understanding and applicability of the short version. Most professionals considered the original protocol too extensive and the reduced version more feasible for clinical practice. The suggestions were mostly incorporated by the authors, resulting in adjustments and exclusions that finalized the reduced protocol, with a total score ranging from 0 to 137 points. CONCLUSION:The reduced version of the MBGR Protocol demonstrated evidence of content validity and response process validation, resulting in a final version with a shorter application time, making it more suitable for clinical use.
PURPOSE:To investigate whether the method of introducing complementary feeding (CF) is related to pediatric feeding disorders (PFD) in the first year of life. METHODS:Clinical trial with 128 mother-child pairs randomized into intervention groups by CF methods: traditional, Baby-Led Introduction to Solids (BLISS), or mixed. The intervention was carried out at the infants' 5 and a half months of age in an experimental kitchen with meals prepared according to the randomized method. Follow-up was conducted at their 7 and 9 months of age. At 12 months, the Brazilian Child Feeding Scale (EBAI) was applied to screen for PFD. This study was registered in the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (ReBEC). RESULTS:PFD was present in 16 (12.5%) children: 5 (3.9%) from the traditional method (3 with mild PFD and 2 with severe PFD), 9 (7%) from the BLISS method (5 with mild PFD, 2 with moderate PFD, and 2 with severe PFD), and 2 (1.6%) from the mixed method (both with mild PFD). In the analysis of the 14 EBAI questions, the responses tended towards the adequate and/or favorable aspects across all CF methods, with no statistically significant differences. CONCLUSION:PFD was not influenced by the CF method in the study sample.
PURPOSE:To provide a word bank based on familiarity and representativeness for the 18- to 36-month age group, considering the Brazilian cultural context. METHODS:This was a cross-sectional study with a quantitative design. The questionnaire, sent to expert judges, was based on the list of words and sentences from the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories (MB-CDIs). Three groups of experts participated: experienced speech therapists, speech therapists, and mothers with no training in the area. The questionnaire included 21 questions on familiarity and 13 on representation, which were answered using a Likert scale on familiarity (familiar or unfamiliar) and representativeness (representation by pictures or not). The responses were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and visually represented through word clouds. RESULTS:According to the criteria, only those that met the mean values were selected, leaving a total of 146 words. Based on the list from the MB-CDIs inventory adapted to Portuguese, the words were organized by category to generate the word bank, called the Word Bank for Childhood Language Development (BPDLI): A Validated Instrument for Brazilian Portuguese. CONCLUSION:This work provides a validated tool that can be used in clinical language assessment and intervention at early ages, allowing for greater sensitivity to the child's cultural and family context. This word bank also has therapeutic potential for approaches to phonology, narrative language, and augmentative and alternative communication.
PURPOSE:To assess the self-perception of health and disability of individuals with bilateral hearing loss (HL) before and after one year of using hearing aids, using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0). METHODS:Longitudinal, observational and analytical-descriptive study, approved by the research ethics committee under opinion number 6.767.314, in which 15 individuals diagnosed with mild to severe hearing loss and wearing bilateral hearing aids (HA) were assessed. The WHODAS 2.0 was applied at the time of fitting and reapplied after one year of use. The mean scores in the six domains of the instrument (cognition, mobility, self-care, getting along, life activities and participation) were statistically analyzed. RESULTS:A reduction in disability was observed after using HA, with an average reduction of 12% in WHODAS scores. Domains such as cognition, self-care, and participation showed statistical differences. CONCLUSION:WHODAS 2.0 proved effective in assessing and monitoring disability and its impact on the functioning of individuals with HL, being sensitive to changes promoted by the use of HA, despite the absence of statistical significance in some variables.
PURPOSE:to map and synthesise scientific evidence on the relationship between bullying and stuttering in schoolchildren. The following specific aims will be investigated: (1) the impact of the co-occurrence of both; (2) strategies for identifying bullying in children who stutter; and (3) approaches to tackling bullying in this population. RESEARCH STRATEGIES:Scoping Review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. The PubMed, Scielo, CAPES, and Web of Science databases were consulted using specific descriptors. SELECTION CRITERIA:Full-text articles in English or Portuguese were included, with no time limit. Opinion articles, letters to the editor, and studies that did not meet the objective of the study were excluded. DATA ANALYSIS:The data extracted included author, title, objectives, methodology, results, and conclusions, culminating in a PRISMA-ScR flowchart for organising the findings. RESULTS:The studies analysed point to a higher prevalence of bullying, anxiety and low self-esteem among children and adolescents who stutter, especially in the school environment. Weakened social relationships and lack of awareness increase the risk of exclusion. Speech therapists play an essential role in guidance and prevention, although there is still a need for more robust research on effective interventions. CONCLUSION:This study confirmed the relationship between stuttering and the experience of bullying, highlighting the impacts on the mental health and socialisation of people who stutter. In addition, although scarce, the main intervention strategies identified to date were gathered, such as educational programmes and prevention activities, still in the school environment and in conjunction with the academic staff and family members.
PURPOSE:To present the diagnostic accuracy of the scored Clinical Examination of the MMBGR Orofacial Myofunctional Assessment Protocol for the age range of 24 to 71 months. METHODS:Diagnostic accuracy validation study with a convenience sample. Fourteen speech-language pathologists analyzed images of 132 participants from the database of previous validation stages, divided into two groups (G1 = 24 to 35 months and 29 days; G2 = 36 to 71 months and 29 days). Each image was analyzed individually and independently by a panel of three expert speech-language pathologists, with agreement between at least two evaluators considered valid. Opinions regarding domains of the orofacial myofunctional examination, Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder (OMD), and referral needs were recorded using an electronic form. The speech-language pathologists' responses based on clinical experience, without using the protocol (gold standard), were compared with those obtained using the Protocol (index test). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was applied, cutoff points were established, and sensitivity and specificity values were obtained using R Core Team software (2022). RESULTS:Diagnostic accuracy in preschool children in G1 was ideal and in G2 was reasonable for orofacial structures. For orofacial functions, accuracy was ideal in G1 and reasonable in G2; for tone, accuracy was reasonable in both groups. For OMD, accuracy was reasonable for both G1 and G2. The cutoff point for OMD was 15 (24-35 months) and 22 (36-71 months). Accuracy was reasonable for predicting multidisciplinary and speech-language pathology referrals. CONCLUSION:The MMBGR Protocol demonstrated adequate diagnostic accuracy for orofacial structures and functions in preschool children. It showed reasonable accuracy for diagnosing OMD and for predicting multidisciplinary and speech-language pathology referrals.
PURPOSE:To evaluate the clinical impact of the DHACA® method on the development of social skills in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). METHODS:This longitudinal quantitative intervention study conducted with 23 children with ASD, aged 3 to 6 years, who were nonverbal or minimally verbal. Individual intervention sessions using the DHACA® method were held weekly for 20 weeks. Social skills were assessed before and after the intervention using the ACOTEA-R protocol. Data were statistically analyzed using the Wilcoxon test. RESULTS:There was a significant improvement (p < 0.05) in ten of the sixteen skills assessed, including "responds to name," "eye contact," "shared attention," and "symbolic play." Other skills, such as "responds to 'no'" and "takes turns," showed a tendency toward clinical improvement, although not statistically significant. Only three skills did not show relevant progress. CONCLUSION:The DHACA® method proved effective in promoting social skills in children with ASD, contributing to greater autonomy and social participation. The results reinforce its clinical potential as a therapeutic resource in both educational and healthcare settings.
PURPOSE:To evaluate the performance of the PETIT application (automated tablet-based screening) compared with conventional sweep screening in identifying the risk of hearing impairment in school-aged children, using headphones with passive noise cancellation. METHODS:Cross-sectional observational study including 122 children (aged 5 to 8 years) from the public school of Santana de Parnaíba. The following procedures were performed: otoscopy; automated hearing screening via tablet (with Sennheiser HD-280 headphones); and conventional sweep screening. Part of the sample also underwent pure-tone audiometry. Statistical analysis used binomial and binary logistic regression tests, along with the calculation of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. RESULTS:There was significant association between the results of the sweep screening and PETIT, as well as the coefficient of the predictor variable (conventional audiometry) was significant to the performance in the sweep screening. For PETIT, a sensitivity of 85.7%, specificity of 100%, and accuracy of 99.18% were observed. CONCLUSION:The results suggest that this tool has promising applicability in schools for identifying children at risk of hearing impairments.
PURPOSE:To identify and verify the accuracy of oropharyngeal dysphagia screening in older patients hospitalized or undergoing outpatient follow-up, and to associate the presence of dysphagia with the main comorbidities in this population. METHODS:This is a cross-sectional study with older patients hospitalized in wards or seeking outpatient consultations at a public referral hospital in Northeastern Brazil. The study applied the Oropharyngeal Dysphagia Screening in Older Adults (RaDI), as well as fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) in a subgroup of patients. RESULTS:The instrument identified a significant number of older patients with signs suggestive of oropharyngeal dysphagia and showed a consistent association with the reference examination used and an association with neurological, pulmonary, and cardiological comorbidities. CONCLUSION:RaDI is a practical and useful tool for dysphagia screening in older people, showing relevant clinical agreement with FEES and potential for application in hospital and outpatient settings.
PURPOSE:to map how implicit memory has been addressed in international scientific speech-language-hearing production. RESEARCH STRATEGIES:An electronic search was conducted in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases, supplemented by a manual search of references of the included studies. The scoping review was conducted based on the Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence Synthesis Manual, following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The protocol was registered in the Open Science Framework (10.17605/OSF.IO/PNDWF). SELECTION:criteria: Studies addressing implicit memory in speech-language-hearing contexts, in Portuguese, English, or Spanish, regardless of year of publication, were included. DATA:analysis: Two reviewers independently extracted data, considering design, population, objectives, and main outcomes. The studies were grouped by area of application and synthesized by descriptive and narrative analysis. RESULTS:A total of 2,565 documents were identified, of which 39 comprised this review. The studies were grouped into three categories (language, audiology, and voice). The most frequent themes found were the application of implicit learning in speech-language-hearing contexts; the use of implicit tasks for the assessment and characterization of disorders; and investigations of biases, prejudices, and/or implicit perceptions in speech-language-hearing practice. CONCLUSION:The literature deals with implicit memory in a limited and heterogeneous manner, mainly in language, audiology, and voice, focusing on implicit learning, assessment, and biases. Despite its clinical potential, there is a lack of conceptual and methodological systematization, indicating the need for future research to consolidate its use in the field.
PURPOSE:To carry out the cross-cultural validation of the Self-Assessment of Competence in Communication - SACCom to Italian. METHODS:The cross-cultural validation procedure followed the recommendations and guidelines of the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) and consisted of five stages: 1) Translation of the SACCom from Brazilian Portuguese (BP) into Italian by three bilingual speech-language-hearing pathologists; 2) Preparation of a consensus version; 3) Back-translation from Italian into BP by a fourth bilingual speech-language-hearing pathologist; 4) Comparison of the back-translation with the original instrument and preparation of the final version in Italian called Test di Autovalutazione della Competenza nella Comunicazione (TACCom-IT); and, 5) Application of the TACCom-IT pre-test to 101 native Italians whose voice and communication are essential to their profession. At this stage, the option "not applicable" was added to the answer key. RESULTS:In the translation, there were different lexical choices regarding the title, instructions, and seven items. In the back-translation, there were conceptual disagreements in the title and instructions, and lexical disagreements in five items. The expert committee made changes to the title, instructions, and three items. In the pre-test phase, a significantly higher proportion of participants responded with options from the instrument's usual answer key for all items. CONCLUSION:The Italian adapted version of SACCom, entitled Test di Autovalutazione della Competenza nella Comunicazione (TACCom-IT), shows satisfactory cultural and linguistic equivalence in relation to the original instrument and is considered cross-culturally valid.
PURPOSE:To analyze the neural response of the subcortical pathway through click and speech stimuli in infants and young children with congenital cytomegalovirus (CMVc). METHODS:Cross-sectional and prospective study. The sample consisted of infants and young children with a median age of 6.43 months (Q1-Q3: 2.62-11.25) in the CMV group (G1; n=10) and 6.23 months (Q1-Q3: 1.60-12.06) in the control group (G2; n=10). All participants underwent Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAE) and bilateral peak positive pressure tympanometry. The procedures included anamnesis, Auditory Brainstem Response with click stimulus (ABR-click), and Frequency Following Response (FFR). Click ABR was performed at intensities of 80 and 30 dB nHL in both ears. FFR was recorded in the right ear with a speech stimulus /da/ of 170 ms. FFR responses were analyzed in the temporal and spectral domains, regarding neural synchrony, spectral representation, and stability of the speech response. The Mann-Whitney test or Student's t-test was applied for intergroup analysis. The Wilcoxon test was applied for intragroup analysis. RESULTS:In the analysis of click ABR latencies and amplitudes, as well as in FFR measurements related to subcortical neural coding of speech, no statistically significant differences were observed between groups or between ears in the intergroup analysis. CONCLUSION:Preliminary results indicate a similar pattern of subcortical neural coding of speech and neural synchrony in infants and young children with and without CMVc.
PURPOSE:This study evaluated tympanometric cutoff points (tympanometric peak pressure and static compliance) for transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) and determined their diagnostic accuracy. METHODS:This analytical study, based on a randomized clinical trial, included 84 children (6-42 months; median 24 months) from public childcare centers in Brazil. Associations between cutoff points and TEOAEs were verified by Fisher's exact test and Chi-square. Kappa assessed agreement between ears, and the correlation between tympanometric peak pressure and static compliance was analyzed by Spearman. Diagnostic accuracy was determined using ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) curves and confirmed with EpiDat 3.1. RESULTS:In the 84 children, 66 right ears and 73 left ears were examined; however, 42 ears were randomly selected from each side for the final analysis. A significant correlation was found between peak pressure and static compliance. ROC analysis identified -180 daPa as the most accurate cutoff (AUC = 0.781; 95% CI: 0.656-0.905; p < 0.001). EpiDat indicated a specificity of 93.9%, a sensitivity of 55.6%, and an overall accuracy of 85.7%. Static compliance <0.2 mL showed comparable performance (specificity = 98.5%, sensitivity = 50.0%, accuracy = 88.1%). CONCLUSION:The cutoff point of -180 daPa combined with static compliance <0.2 mL improved screening accuracy and reduced unnecessary referrals. It provided the best balance between specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy, aligning more closely with TEOAEs results and supporting updating this tympanometric criterion in infant hearing screening.
PURPOSE:To analyze self-assessment of voice and swallowing in the late postoperative period of total thyroidectomy and the impact of surgery on quality of life. METHODS:This is a descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study, approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the institution. Seventeen women aged between 32 and 58 years participated in the study, mostly married, with completed higher education, residing outside the metropolitan region, who underwent total thyroidectomy without cervical lymph node dissection, without adjuvant radiotherapy, and without postoperative speech therapy follow-up for at least 6 months. Demographic and clinical data were collected, as well as the results of the Thyroidectomy-Related Voice and Symptom Questionnaire (TVSQ) and the Thyroid-Related Patient-Reported Outcome - 39 (ThyPro-39) questionnaires. Data analysis was performed descriptively. RESULTS:The median total TVSQ score was 26, with the highest scores found in the two cases that underwent cervical lymph node dissection. Domain 1 (vocal symptoms) of the TVSQ contributed most to the total score (48.52%). In domain 2 (oropharyngolaryngeal symptoms) of the TVSQ, scores were closer to the upper limit, representing a higher frequency of symptoms. The ThyPro-39 results revealed a greater impact of thyroidectomy on fatigue, anxiety, cognitive problems, emotion, and depression. CONCLUSION:Women undergoing total thyroidectomy present vocal and swallowing symptoms, with a predominance of vocal symptoms in the long term, associated with the negative impact of surgery on physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Furthermore, there is a compromise in quality of life regarding fatigue, emotional aspects, anxiety, cognitive problems, and depression.
PURPOSE:Theoretical perspectives of learning academic subjects and curricular standards highlight the critical role of language ability. Thus, it is important to assess the academic achievement of children with language deficits to ensure the development of interventions to facilitate success in the classroom. This investigation aimed to compare the performance of fourth graders with communication disorders (ComDis) to those with typical language development (GenEd) on measures of reading, mathematics, and science achievement. Interaction effects of gender and income with language status were examined. METHODS:Data were from an extant dataset, the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study Kindergarten Class of 2010-11. ANOVA compared performance on measures of reading, mathematics, and science in ComDis and GenEd fourth graders and the relation of gender and income. RESULTS:For all three subjects, GenEd students scored higher than ComDis students, and upper-income students earned significantly higher scores than middle-income students, who earned significantly higher scores than low-income homes. Mathematics was a relative strength for children across communication status, income, and gender. A female advantage was found in reading, but not in mathematics or science. CONCLUSION:Communication deficits and low-income status adversely impact mastery of academic content. It is critical that speech-language pathologists collaborate with content-area teachers to ensure academic success for these children.
PURPOSE:To map the strategies used for the early diagnosis of hearing loss in infants. RESEARCH STRATEGIES:A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, LILACS, Google Scholar, and ProQuest, with no restrictions on language or publication period. The search was initially performed in October 2024 and updated in January 2026. Controlled descriptors (DeCS/MeSH) and keywords related to hearing loss, newborn hearing screening, and early diagnosis were used. The protocol was registered in the Open Science Framework. SELECTION CRITERIA:Primary studies addressing strategies for the early diagnosis of hearing loss in children up to two years of age were included. Secondary studies, case reports, guidelines, duplicate publications, and studies without full-text availability were excluded. Study selection was performed independently by reviewers, with disagreements resolved by consensus. DATA ANALYSIS:Extracted data included study design, population, diagnostic instruments, strategies, and care setting. A descriptive and narrative synthesis was conducted, grouping evidence according to diagnostic approaches. RESULTS:Of the 16,946 records identified, 58 studies published between 1991 and 2025 met the eligibility criteria. Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) predominated, particularly protocols combining otoacoustic emissions and automated auditory brainstem response. Complementary strategies included two-stage screening, early retesting, community-based programs, genetic screening, and additional electrophysiological assessments. Variability in protocol implementation and persistent structural inequalities were observed. CONCLUSION:UNHS remains the cornerstone of early diagnosis of hearing loss in infants, with effectiveness dependent on well-organized care pathways and integration between screening, diagnosis, and follow-up.
PURPOSE:This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the prevalence and impact of orofacial pain among older adults with dementia. RESEARCH STRATEGIES:Observational studies were retrieved from EMBASE, LILACS, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane, Livivo, and Web of Science databases, in addition to gray literature. The search included studies without language or date restrictions. SELECTION CRITERIA:Eligible studies included participants aged 60 years or older with any type of dementia, reporting the presence, frequency, or characteristics of orofacial pain. Case reports, reviews, and experimental animal studies were excluded. DATA ANALYSIS:Data were extracted independently by calibrated reviewers. Meta-analyses were performed using RStudio software, calculating pooled prevalence rates with 95% confidence intervals. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic. RESULTS:The overall prevalence of orofacial pain among older adults with dementia was 19%, regardless of dementia type. Associated factors included poor oral hygiene, presence of natural dentition, and xerostomia. Communication difficulties, particularly in non-verbal patients, represented the main diagnostic barrier. CONCLUSION:Approximately one in five older adults with dementia experiences orofacial pain, which significantly affects quality of life. However, underdiagnosis remains common due to cognitive and communicative limitations. Improving professional training, multidisciplinary collaboration, and public health strategies focused on oral healthcare in long-term care facilities are essential to enhance pain detection and management.
PURPOSE:To map studies describing family literacy practices carried out with pre-school children. RESEARCH STRATEGIES:Consultation of Lilacs, EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, LiVIVO and gray literature databases. Registration on the Open Science Framework (OSF) platform. Search strategies: "Child, Preschool", "home literacy", "Early Intervention Educational" and "Family". SELECTION CRITERIA:The acronym PCC was used: Population (Studies with preschoolers); Concept (family literacy practices); Context (family environment). DATA ANALYSIS:Two authors carried out the identification and extraction of data: authors, year of publication, population, objective and the family literacy practices carried out with preschoolers. RESULTS:For the final synthesis of the scoping review, 29 studies were included. Informal practices appeared most frequently.
