The Effect of Home Training with Electropalatography A Post-operative Cleft Palate Patient with Residual Articulation Problems

• Published in: Journal of Japanese Cleft Palate Association Vol. 31; no. 3; pp. 274 - 284
• Main Authors: YAMAMOTO, Ichiro, FUJIWARA, Yuri, INOUE, Miyuki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japanese Cleft Palate Association 30.10.2006
• Subjects: cleft palate speech; electropalatography; home training; visual feedback; エレクトロパラトグラフィー; ホームトレーニング; 異常構音; 視覚的フィードバック
• ISSN: 0386-5185; 2186-5701
• DOI: 10.11224/cleftpalate1976.31.3_274

Primary objective: To determine the effectiveness of electropalatography (EPG) home training using a portable training unit (PTU) for a patient with residual articulation disorders. Methods and procedures: The subject was a post-surgical bilateral cleft palate patient whose velopharyngeal function was adequate. She started EPG home training at the age of 8 years 4 months, because she had residual articulation disorders such as palatalized or lateral misarticulation, although she had received conventional speech therapy for more than 4 years. The WinEPG system (Articulate Instruments, Edinburgh) was used to make recordings during the initial assessment and the monthly follow-up. Experimental interventions: A training program was developed at each session, and she was instructed to carry out her homework assignments using the PTU. Main outcome: After 13 months of home training, marked changes in the EPG patterns and‘ Center of Gravity: COG’ values were observed. Conclusions: Compared to conventional therapy, EPG home training resulted in a much quicker improvement in target sound production.