Major Findings

This review analyzed 12 research articles on speech and language disorders in children. These studies examined the effectiveness and safety of various interventions for speech and language disorders, the impact of treatment on the quality of life of patients, the efficiency of treatment, and more. 3 is a scoping review that investigated velopharyngeal insufficiency, associated anomalies, and speech/language impairment in patients with craniofacial microsomia (CFM). This review reported that velopharyngeal insufficiency was found in 12.5% to 55% of patients with CFM, and speech impairment was found in 35.4% to 74% of patients. 11 emphasized the importance of parents being actively involved in interventions for young children with speech and language communication needs. Parental participation can increase the intensity of the intervention, support generalization, and improve outcomes.

Furthermore, 15 examined the impact of a pediatric primary care health-coaching program on the change in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children with mental health problems. The study found no significant effect of the health-coaching program on the HRQoL of children. However, this may be attributed to the relatively high levels of HRQoL among the children at baseline, or because of the highly motivated pediatricians for the controls. The study suggested that further research on a more general population is needed.

14 is a study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial of an intervention for social work clients with children facing complex financial problems in Finland. This intervention aims to increase financial literacy and economic self-efficacy and reduce financial anxiety among parents with financial problems. This trial aims to explore the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of the intervention.

5 investigated speech-language pathologists' (SLPs) perspectives, attitudes, and experiences of using telepractice for preschoolers in Turkey. This study found that most SLPs felt confident offering telepractice to preschoolers and thought that telepractice was an appropriate and easily accessible approach. However, the SLPs' opinions were divided when telepractice was compared to in-person treatment. The study concluded that the SLPs in Turkey must be better educated about telepractice, and clinical standards must be established.

8 investigated the practices and perspectives of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) regarding the intervention of thickened liquids (TL) for swallowing problems. The study found that recent articles have highlighted limited evidence, poor acceptance, and various unintended consequences regarding the use of TL.

Treatment Summary

3 reported that speech therapy and surgical treatment were used for velopharyngeal insufficiency in patients with craniofacial microsomia. Speech therapy was documented in 45.5% to 59.6% of patients, and surgical treatment was reported in 31.6% to 100%. Surgical treatments include pharyngeal flap surgery and pharyngoplasty. In addition, 11 states that parental participation is an important element of treatment, along with interventions by speech-language pathologists. Active parental participation can increase the intensity of treatment and help maintain its effectiveness. Furthermore, 15 introduced a health-coaching program in primary care as an intervention method for children's mental health problems.

Benefits and Risks

Benefits Summary

These studies suggest the effectiveness of various interventions for speech and language disorders. For example, 3 suggests that speech therapy and surgical treatment for velopharyngeal insufficiency in patients with craniofacial microsomia may be effective. 11 states that active parental participation in treatment can help promote children's language development and maximize the effectiveness of treatment. However, 15 found no significant effect of the health-coaching program on the HRQoL of children. This may be due to the limited scope of the study and the need for further research on a more general population.

Risks Summary

Each intervention method may carry risks. For example, 8 reports that recent articles have raised concerns about the effectiveness, acceptance, and unintended consequences of using thickened liquids. Additionally, 5 states that telepractice, compared to in-person treatment, still has some areas for improvement.

Comparison of Studies

Commonalities

These studies all examined the effectiveness and safety of intervention methods for speech and language disorders. They all also expressed concern about the impact of intervention methods on children's quality of life. Furthermore, these studies share a common understanding that parents' active participation in treatment is essential.

Differences

These studies differ in their subject populations, intervention methods, research methods, and results. For example, 3 targeted patients with craniofacial microsomia. On the other hand, 11 targeted young children with speech and language disorders. 15 evaluated the effectiveness of a health-coaching program. On the other hand, 14 is a study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial of an intervention for social work clients with children facing complex financial problems. As you can see, these studies focus on different aspects.

Consistency and Contradictions of Results

These studies have shown consistent results in terms of the effectiveness of intervention methods for speech and language disorders. However, more research is needed on the safety of intervention methods and their impact on children's quality of life. Also, some studies, like 15 , have failed to demonstrate the effectiveness of intervention methods. This indicates that it is difficult to directly compare results because each study's subject population, intervention method, research method, etc. differ.

Points to Note Regarding Real-World Application

The results of these studies suggest that various interventions may be effective in treating speech and language disorders. However, it is important to remember that it is necessary to select the appropriate method for each child's situation when using these interventions in practice. It is also important to encourage parents to actively participate in treatment, as this can help promote children's language development. Furthermore, it is important to consult with experts such as doctors or speech-language pathologists as each of these interventions may carry risks.

Limitations of Current Research

All of these studies were small-scale and their results cannot be generalized. Also, the long-term effects of the intervention methods are still unclear. Furthermore, these studies target children with specific cultural and social backgrounds, so caution must be exercised when applying them to children with different cultural and social backgrounds.

Directions for Future Research

Future research needs to conduct larger-scale studies to increase the generalizability of the results. Further research is also needed on the long-term effects and safety of intervention methods. It is also important to conduct research that targets children from diverse cultural and social backgrounds. By doing so, we can optimize the intervention methods for speech and language disorders.

Conclusion

These studies suggest the effectiveness of various interventions for speech and language disorders. However, it is important to select the appropriate method for each child's situation when using these interventions in practice. It is also important to encourage parents to actively participate in treatment, as this can help promote children's language development. Furthermore, it is important to consult with experts such as doctors or speech-language pathologists as each of these interventions may carry risks. Future research needs to conduct larger-scale studies to increase the generalizability of the results. Further research is also needed on the long-term effects and safety of intervention methods. It is also important to conduct research that targets children from diverse cultural and social backgrounds. By doing so, we can optimize the intervention methods for speech and language disorders.

List of Treatments

Here are the keywords for treatment that are introduced in these papers.

• Speech Therapy
• Surgical Treatment
• Pharyngeal Flap Surgery
• Pharyngoplasty
• Health Coaching Program
• Telepractice
• Thickened Liquids