Expiratory Muscle Strength Training for Hypernasal Speech in Children

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Velopharyngeal Insufficiency, Velopharyngeal Incompetence Due to Cleft Palate, Inadequate Velopharyngeal Closure, Palatopharyngeal Incompetence, Hypernasality

In brief

When the soft palate does not move enough because of a cleft palate or for unknown reasons, this can lead to a speech difference called velopharyngeal insufficiency. The purpose of this research study is to test if soft palate exercises using a hand help breathing device will help improve the ability of the soft palate to close the area between the throat and nose and help improve speech.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT05492266

Run by

Noel Jabbour

People needed

30

Starts

2025-03-03

Expected to finish

2027-11-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-07-20

Who can join

Age: 5 and older, up to 17. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Score of 2 or greater on the nasality/resonance domain of the Pittsburgh Weighted Speech Scale
• Ages 5-17 years

You may not qualify if…

• CAPS-A-AM hypernasality score <2
• Previous speech surgery (e.g. palatoplasty or pharyngeal flap for speech)
• Speech surgery scheduled within the next 56 days
• Unable or unwilling to perform the tests and exercises outlined in the study

Where it is running

• UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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