ABSTRACT
It is generally agreed that there is an urgent need for research into effectiveness of stuttering therapy. Although most programmes are clinically evaluated by comparing clients' pre- and post-treatment performance across a range of tests, both behavioural and attitudinal, the open demonstration of efficacy using robust study designs as required by peer-reviewed journals is very much the exception rather than the rule. Baxter reviewed the literature on 112 evidence-based therapy reports conducted since 1990 for both early onset in children and persistent stuttering in adults, and across spectrum of approaches, including fluency-shaping and fluency-modification programmes, together with counselling and stuttering therapies that relied on technology such as altered auditory feedback. The client–clinician relationship appears to be a significant factor in perceived success, with clinicians who appear to be knowledgeable and supportive seen as providing superior therapy. The purpose of randomized controlled trial studies (RCTs) is to allow assertions to be made regarding the benefits of treatment to any given population.
