Lois,
There have been some good recent reviews of this. Below is a reference for
one along with its abstract.
- Peter Flipsen Jr
======================
Norman J. Lass and Mary Pannbacker
*The Application of Evidence-Based Practice to Nonspeech Oral Motor
Treatments*
Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch, Jul 2008; 39: 408 - 421.
Purpose: The purpose of this article is to help speech-language
pathologists (SLPs)
apply the principles of evidence-based practice (EBP) to nonspeech oral
motor treatments (NSOMTs) in order to make valid, evidence-based decisions
about NSOMTs and thus determine if they are viable treatment approaches for
the management of communication disorders.
Method: A detailed description of EBP is provided, including levels of
evidence for rating the quality of evidence. NSOMTs are described and a
survey of the literature on NSOMTs is provided along with a determination of
the level of evidence of each study reported. A systematic literature search
was conducted using the electronic databases of MEDLINE and CINAHL
(Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) within an
unrestricted time period. In addition, reference lists from identified
articles were also reviewed. Ethical and fiscal issues related to EBP and
NSOMTs, as well as clinical implications of EBP for the use of NSOMTs, are
discussed.
Results: A total of 45 articles/reports were published between 1981 and 2006
in peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed journals. Most of the sources (25)
relied on weak anecdotal evidence and opinions. Moreover, studies that
employed stronger designs reported negative results for NSOMTs (i.e.,
evidence against the use of NSOMTs for modifying speech).
Conclusion: Despite their use for many years and their popularity among some
SLPs for the treatment of a wide variety of speech problems in children and
adults, NSOMTs are controversial because sufficient evidence does not exist
to support their effectiveness in improving speech. Moreover, limited
evidence exists for the use of NSOMTs to facilitate nonspeech activities.
Therefore, the available evidence does not support the continued use of
NSOMTs as a standard treatment and they should be excluded from use as a
mainstream treatment until there are further data. SLPs should consider the
principles of EBP in making decisions about NSOMTs.
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