Enhancing speech fluency in people who stutter
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Oxford
Department Name: Experimental Psychology
Abstract
Developmental stuttering (also known as stammering in the UK) affects one in twenty children and persists to adulthood in one in a hundred. People who stutter experience disruption to the normal flow of speech. They produce frequent repetitions or prolongations of sounds, syllables and words and frequent hesitations or pauses when speech can appear blocked. Children and adults who stutter can experience restrictions in their academic and career choices and some suffer from anxiety as a result of their speech difficulties. Fluency can be achieved temporarily by people who stutter by changing the way speech is produced, for example by singing, speaking with a different accent or in time with an external stimulus, such as a metronome or another speaker. Altering the auditory feedback associated with speech production can also be effective; for example, feedback that is noisy, or altered in pitch or time (delayed) can result in almost complete fluency in some people (as portrayed in the film The King's Speech). The effectiveness of altering auditory feedback in enhancing fluency suggests that stuttering may be caused by a problem in combining motor and auditory information.
In this research study, we will use speech therapy techniques that change the way speech is produced by people who stutter and improves their speech fluency. While people undergo this therapy, we will stimulate their brain with a weak electric current. This form of stimulation is painless and can improve the amount and rate at which new skills are learned. The therapy will take place over five days. Half of the people in the study will have therapy and stimulation, while the other half will have therapy and no stimulation. The participants and the researchers will not know who is having real stimulation and who is not. We will measure the effects of this therapy and stimulation by measuring rates of stuttering, speech naturalness and attitudes to stuttering before and after the five days of treatment.
We are also interested in understanding the brain abnormalities that cause stuttering. We will use MRI brain scans to measure how brain areas involved in producing speech (motor areas) and in monitoring speech (auditory areas) communicate with each other. We expect that the communication between the motor and auditory areas will improve as speech fluency improves. MRI scans give us very detailed pictures of the brain's anatomy and its function. It can also be used to see what is happening inside our mouths when we are speaking. We will develop new ways of using MRI to scan the mouth and vocal tract during fluent speech and during stuttering. This will provide us with new information about how people who stutter control their tongue and lips and other muscles involved in speech production. As speech fluency improves, we expect that we will see differences in the brain and vocal tract images, which will provide us with another way of measuring the outcome of the speech fluency and brain stimulation training.
MRI scans are very noisy and are not ideal for looking at the sensitivity of the brain areas involved in listening to speech. Also, speech is produced and understood extremely rapidly (10-12 speech sounds per second are typical in fluent speech). MRI cannot capture these rapid changes so it is necessary to use another brain imaging method called magnetoencephalography (MEG). MEG measures brain waves with very precise timing. In people who stutter, researchers have shown using MEG that speech production can alter auditory signals in the brain and that the timing of these signals is abnormal in people who stutter. We will also use MEG while people listen to and produce speech. We hope that this work will help us to understand how altering speech feedback can improve speech fluency. Such an understanding is critical for further development of effective therapies for stuttering.
In this research study, we will use speech therapy techniques that change the way speech is produced by people who stutter and improves their speech fluency. While people undergo this therapy, we will stimulate their brain with a weak electric current. This form of stimulation is painless and can improve the amount and rate at which new skills are learned. The therapy will take place over five days. Half of the people in the study will have therapy and stimulation, while the other half will have therapy and no stimulation. The participants and the researchers will not know who is having real stimulation and who is not. We will measure the effects of this therapy and stimulation by measuring rates of stuttering, speech naturalness and attitudes to stuttering before and after the five days of treatment.
We are also interested in understanding the brain abnormalities that cause stuttering. We will use MRI brain scans to measure how brain areas involved in producing speech (motor areas) and in monitoring speech (auditory areas) communicate with each other. We expect that the communication between the motor and auditory areas will improve as speech fluency improves. MRI scans give us very detailed pictures of the brain's anatomy and its function. It can also be used to see what is happening inside our mouths when we are speaking. We will develop new ways of using MRI to scan the mouth and vocal tract during fluent speech and during stuttering. This will provide us with new information about how people who stutter control their tongue and lips and other muscles involved in speech production. As speech fluency improves, we expect that we will see differences in the brain and vocal tract images, which will provide us with another way of measuring the outcome of the speech fluency and brain stimulation training.
MRI scans are very noisy and are not ideal for looking at the sensitivity of the brain areas involved in listening to speech. Also, speech is produced and understood extremely rapidly (10-12 speech sounds per second are typical in fluent speech). MRI cannot capture these rapid changes so it is necessary to use another brain imaging method called magnetoencephalography (MEG). MEG measures brain waves with very precise timing. In people who stutter, researchers have shown using MEG that speech production can alter auditory signals in the brain and that the timing of these signals is abnormal in people who stutter. We will also use MEG while people listen to and produce speech. We hope that this work will help us to understand how altering speech feedback can improve speech fluency. Such an understanding is critical for further development of effective therapies for stuttering.
Technical Summary
Developmental stuttering is a disorder affecting the fluency of speech, characterized by repetitions or prolongations of sounds and frequent hesitations or pauses. It affects 5% of children and persists to adulthood in about 1%. Changing the motor speech pattern in adults who stutter is a particular challenge for speech and language therapy and there is a need for novel interventions, therefore. One such intervention involves the application of transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) alongside speech therapy. TDCS influences brain activity by modulating neuronal plasticity through the application of weak electrical currents across the brain. Pairing TDCS with speech therapy has potential for producing larger or longer lasting effects and reducing time spent in therapy.
The first aim of our study is to evaluate the potential of TDCS combined with speech fluency training to improve outcomes in people who stutter (PWS). We will use techniques that alter speech motor patterns, typically by slowing the rate of speech while maintaining naturalness. PWS will have this training while receiving anodal TDCS over the left motor cortex for 5 days (1mA for 20 mins per day) in a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Outcomes will be measured in terms of changes to stuttering rates and naturalness ratings as well as attitudes to stuttering.
The second aim of our study is to understand how changes in sensorimotor interactions relate to changes in speech fluency in PWS. We will use MRI to measure brain structure and function during speech production. We will also image the vocal tract during fluent and dysfluent speech production and during speech motor learning. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) will provide detailed information on the timing of signals and sensorimotor interactions during speech in PWS. These studies will form additional outcome measures of the speech fluency training and brain stimulation in PWS.
The first aim of our study is to evaluate the potential of TDCS combined with speech fluency training to improve outcomes in people who stutter (PWS). We will use techniques that alter speech motor patterns, typically by slowing the rate of speech while maintaining naturalness. PWS will have this training while receiving anodal TDCS over the left motor cortex for 5 days (1mA for 20 mins per day) in a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Outcomes will be measured in terms of changes to stuttering rates and naturalness ratings as well as attitudes to stuttering.
The second aim of our study is to understand how changes in sensorimotor interactions relate to changes in speech fluency in PWS. We will use MRI to measure brain structure and function during speech production. We will also image the vocal tract during fluent and dysfluent speech production and during speech motor learning. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) will provide detailed information on the timing of signals and sensorimotor interactions during speech in PWS. These studies will form additional outcome measures of the speech fluency training and brain stimulation in PWS.
Planned Impact
Who will benefit from this research? How will they benefit?
1. People who stutter
We believe that the main beneficiaries of this research will be our research participants i.e. people who stutter and their families. These are the ones who are likely to be most interested in the proposed research and its outcomes and potentially stand to benefit the most from it. In our experience, it is helpful for people who stutter to understand more about the brain abnormalities that are found in association with this disorder. We have consulted with groups previously in an informal way about using the term "abnormalities" to describe the differences we see in the brains of people who stutter compared to people who do not. We have been told that the term is not offensive to them and that they find it useful to tell other people that the reason they stutter is because they have a brain abnormality. There has been a tendency for individuals or their parents to be blamed for stuttering (due to a nervous disposition, for example). We expect that the participants in this study will be keen to disseminate the findings of our research to other interested parties who are similarly affected by developmental stuttering. In general, the study may increase public awareness of stuttering and its neural origins.
2. Speech and Language Therapy Community
The work proposed here will shed further light on the underlying brain abnormalities associated with the disorder. It may also inform our understanding of how fluency-enhancing techniques are effective in people who stutter and whether these temporary effects can be prolonged and enhanced for effective therapy. Such an understanding would be of interest to a wider group of beneficiaries, not just the individuals who stutter, but the therapists and clinical teams that work with people who stutter and others with communication difficulties. It is likely that a better understanding of stuttering and its therapy will impact the health and wellbeing, and ultimately the quality of life, of people who stutter. Long-term, the project may contribute to shaping health services for people with communication disorders. There is potential impact for this research to affect evidence-based policy, for example research and clinical policy generated by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
3. Private sector
The potential for increased understanding of the mechanisms underlying fluency enhancing techniques such as altered auditory feedback will be of interest to the commercial sector. For example, there are a number of devices and 'apps' that can deliver altered auditory feedback as a fluency aid to people who stutter.
4. British Stammering Association (charity)
As noted in the communication plan, we maintain strong links with the British Stammering Association, a charity that disseminates important information to children, parents, teachers and employers about people who stutter. This charity is therefore another likely beneficiary of this research and will aid dissemination of our work to the wider public where it may reach people who stutter who are not involved in the research. This dissemination may increase interest in the charity, which could in turn benefit from public donations.
1. People who stutter
We believe that the main beneficiaries of this research will be our research participants i.e. people who stutter and their families. These are the ones who are likely to be most interested in the proposed research and its outcomes and potentially stand to benefit the most from it. In our experience, it is helpful for people who stutter to understand more about the brain abnormalities that are found in association with this disorder. We have consulted with groups previously in an informal way about using the term "abnormalities" to describe the differences we see in the brains of people who stutter compared to people who do not. We have been told that the term is not offensive to them and that they find it useful to tell other people that the reason they stutter is because they have a brain abnormality. There has been a tendency for individuals or their parents to be blamed for stuttering (due to a nervous disposition, for example). We expect that the participants in this study will be keen to disseminate the findings of our research to other interested parties who are similarly affected by developmental stuttering. In general, the study may increase public awareness of stuttering and its neural origins.
2. Speech and Language Therapy Community
The work proposed here will shed further light on the underlying brain abnormalities associated with the disorder. It may also inform our understanding of how fluency-enhancing techniques are effective in people who stutter and whether these temporary effects can be prolonged and enhanced for effective therapy. Such an understanding would be of interest to a wider group of beneficiaries, not just the individuals who stutter, but the therapists and clinical teams that work with people who stutter and others with communication difficulties. It is likely that a better understanding of stuttering and its therapy will impact the health and wellbeing, and ultimately the quality of life, of people who stutter. Long-term, the project may contribute to shaping health services for people with communication disorders. There is potential impact for this research to affect evidence-based policy, for example research and clinical policy generated by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
3. Private sector
The potential for increased understanding of the mechanisms underlying fluency enhancing techniques such as altered auditory feedback will be of interest to the commercial sector. For example, there are a number of devices and 'apps' that can deliver altered auditory feedback as a fluency aid to people who stutter.
4. British Stammering Association (charity)
As noted in the communication plan, we maintain strong links with the British Stammering Association, a charity that disseminates important information to children, parents, teachers and employers about people who stutter. This charity is therefore another likely beneficiary of this research and will aid dissemination of our work to the wider public where it may reach people who stutter who are not involved in the research. This dissemination may increase interest in the charity, which could in turn benefit from public donations.
People |
ORCID iD |
Kate Watkins (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Chesters J
(2018)
Transcranial direct current stimulation over left inferior frontal cortex improves speech fluency in adults who stutter.
in Brain : a journal of neurology
Cler GJ
(2021)
Elevated iron concentration in putamen and cortical speech motor network in developmental stuttering.
in Brain : a journal of neurology
Connally EL
(2018)
Separation of trait and state in stuttering.
in Human brain mapping
Lu Y
(2022)
Characteristics of articulatory gestures in stuttered speech: A case study using real-time magnetic resonance imaging.
in Journal of communication disorders
Wiltshire CEE
(2020)
Failure of tDCS to modulate motor excitability and speech motor learning.
in Neuropsychologia
Wiltshire CEE
(2021)
Speech Movement Variability in People Who Stutter: A Vocal Tract Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.
in Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR
Wiltshire Charlotte Emma Elizabeth
(2020)
Investigating speech motor control using vocal tract imaging, fMRI, and brain stimulation
Description | James Lind Alliance |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
Description | ESRC/EPSRC Joint Funding for PhD Studentship |
Amount | £64,908 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ES/J500112/1 |
Organisation | Economic and Social Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2016 |
End | 11/2019 |
Description | Graduate Development Scholarship - Charlie Wiltshire |
Amount | £5,945 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Oxford |
Department | St Anne's College |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2018 |
End | 09/2019 |
Description | Guarantors of Brain Travel Grant - Charlotte Wiltshire |
Amount | £550 (GBP) |
Organisation | Guarantors of Brain |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2019 |
End | 07/2019 |
Description | LMH Travel Award - Charlie Wiltshire |
Amount | £200 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Oxford |
Department | Lady Margaret Hall Oxford |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2017 |
End | 06/2017 |
Description | Overseas Institutional Visit - Charlie Wiltshire |
Amount | £2,500 (GBP) |
Organisation | Economic and Social Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2018 |
End | 12/2018 |
Description | Santander Travel Award - Charlie Wiltshire |
Amount | £250 (GBP) |
Organisation | Santander Universities |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2018 |
End | 08/2018 |
Description | St. Anne's Travel Grant - Charlie Wiltshire |
Amount | £250 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Oxford |
Department | St Anne's College |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2019 |
End | 07/2019 |
Description | Structural and functional connectivity markers of developmental speech and language disorders |
Amount | $183,690 (USD) |
Funding ID | F32DC017637 |
Organisation | National Institutes of Health (NIH) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United States |
Start | 03/2019 |
End | 02/2022 |
Title | Vocal Tract MRI |
Description | Our collaborator Dr. Mark Chiew has developed a novel sequence to acquire images of the vocal tract using MRI that are resampled at 33.3 fps. |
Type Of Material | Physiological assessment or outcome measure |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Dr. Chiew has received several requests from collaborators to use his sequence. |
Title | Differences in multi-parameter maps in adults who stutter |
Description | Group differences in multi-parameter maps (R1, MTsat, and R2*) in adults who stutter. Multi-parameter maps were processed with the hMRI toolbox (Tabelow, Balteau, Ashburner, Callaghan, Mohammadi, 2019), which involved segmentation, registration/normalization to MNI space, and smoothing that preserves quantitative parameter values. Group differences were statistically analyzed with permutation testing in FSL. Resultant maps are 1-p, corrected with TFCE. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Invited talks in relation to paper. |
URL | https://neurovault.org/collections/UPUDTUZJ/ |
Description | Collaboration with Dr. Mark Chiew, Wellcome Trust Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford |
Organisation | University of Oxford |
Department | Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | We have published the results of the use of this tool in our research papers. |
Collaborator Contribution | Developed a novel tool to acquire MRI images during speech production |
Impact | doi: 10.1044/2021_JSLHR-20-00507. PMID: 34157239. Disciplines: MR Physics, Psychology and Speech Sciences doi: 10.1016/j.jcomdis.2022.106213 PMID: 35397388. Disciplines: MR Physics, Psychology and Speech Sciences |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Collaboration with Phonetics Institute, LMU-Munich |
Organisation | Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU Munich) |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Collaboration with scientist Prof Phil Hoole at LMU-Munich. Money for undergraduate, part time research assistant |
Collaborator Contribution | Knowledge of vocal tract analyses, computing equipment, money for research assistant |
Impact | Analysis of vocal tract MRI data. Team of engineers and phoneticians. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Collaboration with the Signal Analysis and Interpretation Lab (SAIL) laboratory at the University of Southern California. |
Organisation | University of Southern California |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Charlotte Wiltshire visited the University of Southern California (USC) for 6 weeks in order to set up a collaboration. She worked with the Speech and Articulation kNowledge (SPAN) lab and the Signal Analysis and Interpretation Lab (SAIL) who work together to pioneer vocal tract Magnetic Resonance Imaging (vtMRI). This collaboration speaks directly to her DPhil work which uses vtMRI to image the vocal tract in real time to assess the speech of people who stutter compared to fluent, typical speakers. The main aim for this visit was to work in collaboration with SPAN and SAIL researchers to create a tailored analysis pipeline for assessing our real-time speech images. This aim was achieved in addition to creating other exciting projects in collaboration with the team. During the visit, Charlotte presented at the SPAN/SAIL lab meeting. She also met with researchers who had created software for analysing vtMRI of speech. Over the 6 week visit, she mastered the skills needed for these analysis and identified ways they could be used to optimise the analysis of images of audibly fluent speech in people who stutter and controls. In addition, a collaboration was set up with Prof. Louis Goldstein to look at vocal tract images of stuttered speech. This project aims to apply prominent linguistic theories to the stuttered speech data. This collaboration is ongoing. |
Collaborator Contribution | The team at USC provided support in using their analysis techniques. Prof. Louis Goldstein offered his advice for a project investigating the movements of the articulators during stuttered speech. |
Impact | USC collaborator Yijing Lu presented a part of this project at the International Oxford Dysfluency Conference 2021. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Title | INSTEP trial |
Description | We used non-invasive brain stimulation (transcranial direct current stimulation tDCS) concurrent with speech fluency training using metronome-timed speech in adult men who stutter. The intervention lasted for one-hour a day for five days during which the active group receive 20 minutes of 1mA current applied with the anode over the left motor cortex and the cathode over the right. We previously tested a similar intervention in an earlier trial funded by the MRC via a clinical training fellowship. |
Type | Therapeutic Intervention - Psychological/Behavioural |
Current Stage Of Development | Refinement. Non-clinical |
Year Development Stage Completed | 2016 |
Development Status | Closed |
Clinical Trial? | Yes |
Impact | None |
URL | https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT03335722 |
Description | A'level day Banbury |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Part of the Amazing Brain exhibition in Banbury. Presented our research on stammering to a students from local sixth-forms who are preparing for A'levels and university entry. Over 60 students attended in person. Much discussion and participation by students in demonstrations. Positive feedback about applying for science degrees. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.win.ox.ac.uk/for-the-public/how-we-engage/your-amazing-brain |
Description | BBC Breakfast science feature |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Interview with Graeme Tatchell for an item on BBC Breakfast about the trial using brain stimulation in people who stutter. THe British Stammering Association discussed the item. Our participant described his personal story. This led to major coverage of the research and increased interest from the general public and led to an increase in the potential volunteers of the study. There was considerable discussion on social media also. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWAF9DFjI_c |
Description | Big Brain Roadshow |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | This is a recurring activity in which we go to schools with other researchers from our centre to discuss language and the brain. This has resulted in increased interest in the study and volunteers to participate. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019 |
Description | Birmingham event for people who stammer and SLTs |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Patients, carers and/or patient groups |
Results and Impact | Attendance at a Stammering event in Birmingham City University to disseminate information about the trial, study and to engage with potential participants. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Co-ordinated Allied Heath Professionals Research Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | I organised a regional engaged in an Allied Health Professions Research conference for active and aspiring clinical researchers in the South West and South Central regions of the UK, in my role as a regional chair for the Council for Allied Health Professions Research Network. 112 participants attended the event, where they presented research and networked with others. I directly referred to my experience applying for and completing my doctoral fellowship, as well as my further post as a post-doctoral research on the closely related MRC grant held by Prof Watkins. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Council for Allied Health Professions Research panel discussion |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Organised and contributed to panel discussion of routes into clinical academic research, and diversity of research opportunities. Engaged with a range of allied health professionals, who reported increased understanding of RCTs as well as potential of neuroscience research to inform practice. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Diving Bell and Butterfly panel |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | As part of the Oxford Festival of Science + Ideas I was part of a panel to discuss the film "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" viewed a the Ultimate Picture Palace in Oxford. The panel was chaired by a person with lived experience of cerebral palsy. I commented on the communication aspects of the film and inner speech. There were about 70-90 members of the public who attended and asked questions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Established a post-doctoral researcher peer network for clinical academic Speech and Language Therapists |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | With a colleague at the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, i have established a peer network of Speech and Language Therapists working in research at post-doctoral level. The group aims to support Speech and Language Therapists to develop their clinical research careers, by influencing clinical managers, sharing experiences and forming collaborations. The network was formed as there is currently little formal support for SLT researchers beyond the doctoral level, resulting in a significant number of researchers disengaging with their research careers after completing a PhD. We also aim to support more junior researchers to develop skills and secure funding. I have been drawing directly on my experience completing my MRC doctoral fellowship, and my post-doc position on the MRC grant held by Prof Kate Watkins, in this work. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Invited participation in Stammer Trust meeting/ open day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Patients, carers and/or patient groups |
Results and Impact | Attended Stammer Trust open day/meeting, to speak informally about non-invasive brain stimulation research with people who stutter, and give clinical and research perspective on the charities plans for 2019/2020. As a result of the meeting, asked to become charity trustee, with focus on increasing research awareness of trustees and stakeholders, and increasing reach of the charity. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Invited presentation - National Dysfluency Clinical Excellence Network |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Research team member presented to 60 attendees (Speech and Language Therapists (SLT) specialising in dysfluency, SLT students (undergraduate and post-graduate level). Presentation covered the potential clinical application of non-invasive brain stimulation to clinical practice in SLT, including details of our past and current RCT. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Millfield School Psychology and Biology Day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Keynote talk at the Millfield School annual Psychology and Biology Day. Attended by teachers and 6th form pupils from Millfield and schools in the local area (Somerset region). THere was social media coverage and lively discussion from the audience. Increased interest in language and the brain and improved awareness of the causes and possible treatments of developmental stuttering. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Newspaper article in Guardian |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | An article about our current research study was published in the Guardian newspaper on 25th January 2019 https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jan/25/electrical-stimulation-of-brain-trialled-as-aid-to-treating-stutter This led to other stories in national newspapers https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6635153/Radical-new-trial-sees-people-stutter-given-electrical-brain-stimulation.html and radio coverage (e.g Jack FM, Oxfordshire, BBC Radio 5). It had the desired effect of promoting the research nationally and led to increased interest in the study and volunteers to participate. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jan/25/electrical-stimulation-of-brain-trialled-as-aid-to-t... |
Description | Participation in the British Stammering Association 2018 conference in Cardiff |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Supporters |
Results and Impact | Presentation on the research project at the biennial conference of the British Stammering Association in Cardiff September 2018. The talk was an informal presentation of what we understand regarding the neural basis of stuttering, what we found in our previous study of brain stimulation, and what is new in the current study underway. This engaged discussion with the audience members who were primarily people who stammer. It also resulted in increased interest in the study website and potential volunteers. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Presentation at Action for Stammering Children Charity |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Charlie Wiltshire presented to 20 speech language therapists from the Action for Stammering Children charity. She presented work on vocal tract imaging and functional brain imaging with people who stutter. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Presentation at American Speech and Hearing Association conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | I gave a talk on out team's research on using transcranial direct current stimulation to increase speech fluency in people who stutter, to an international group of Speech and Language Therapists. This method, and research related to it, is familiar to many clinicians, so this was an important opportunity for research dissemination and discussion of clinical implications. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Presentation at South West Dysfluency Clinical Excellence Network |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | I was invited to talk to a group of Speech and Language Therapists about brain research in stuttering, and to report the outcomes of out first RCT using transcranial direct current stimulation to increase fluency in people who stutter. I also outlined our current project, which builds on and extends this work. It was a useful opportunity to discuss clinical implications with a group of professionals, and also to summarise research which SLTs tend to be unfamiliar with. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Priority Setting Partnership for Stammering research |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Patients, carers and/or patient groups |
Results and Impact | Member of the steering group for a Priority Setting Partnership run by the Action for Stammering Children charity and the James Lind Alliance to determine the top 10 research priorities for research into stammering in children. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023 |
URL | https://actionforstammeringchildren.org/action-for-stammering-children-launches-new-survey-to-determ... |
Description | Radio interview for International Stammering Awareness Day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The PI gave an interview to BBC Radio Oxford about the research study to promote International Stammering Awareness Day |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://www.psy.ox.ac.uk/news/kate-watkins-talks-to-bbc-radio-oxford-on-international-stammering-awa... |
Description | Research updates on team website - International Stammering Awareness Day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | Lay summaries and progress updates of the research carried out for the INSTEP trial. Written in order to engage with study participants and other interested parties. Post was timed to co-ordinate with International Stammering Awareness Day 2019. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://insteptrial.wordpress.com/2019/10/22/international-stammering-awareness-day-2019/ |
Description | Rumble Museum, Cheney School visit |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Presentation on "Talking Brains" describing research into stuttering and the brain to about 50 secondary school pupils as part of their Amazing Brain series of talks at the school's museum. Lots of questions during and after the presentation. Good feedback from the school about interest in the topic and from a child who stutters who felt empowered. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
Description | STAMMA Research Arena |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Patients, carers and/or patient groups |
Results and Impact | Presentation at the STAMMA "research arena" which enables researchers to present their future/current/past research plans to an audience of interested members of the public who stammer. For this project, I pitched an idea to analyse data collected for this grant in a novel way, by looking at stuttered moments int he scanner. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://stamma.org/connect/events/research-arena |
Description | StammerCast |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Interview on the neuroscience of stammering for StammerCast from the charity Action for Stammering Childred |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://soundcloud.com/stammercast/series-1-episode-4-how-neuroscience-and-stammering-are-connected?... |
Description | Supporting allied health professionals in clinical academic activity |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | I have acted as a clinical academic mentor for allied health professionals seeking to engage in research. I engaged in this work through my role as a facilitator for the Council for Allied Health Professions Research Network. Three allied health professionals were directed to me to discuss research plans and opportunities for development. I directly referred to my experience applying for and completing my doctoral fellowship, as well as my further post as a post-doctoral research on the closely related MRC grant held by Prof Watkins. We discussed the research work specifically, as well as the benefits of working in this team, for advancing my research skills and experience with a view to a clinical academic career all 3 mentees have either applied for clinical academic funding via MRC or NIHR, or are activity working on applications currently. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021 |
Description | Talk (Action for Stammering Research Charity event, UCL) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | "Brain research with people who stammer", presentation and panellist, 30th anniversary event for the charity Action for Stammering Children, UCL, London, September 2019 (Facebook live event). Audience of about 50 people. But also broadcast on internet. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Talk and Q&A session at British Stammering Association Open Day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I gave a talk about the brain basis of developmental stuttering and implications of stuttering therapy, including out team's research using non-invasive brain stimulation. This was followed by a Q&A session on the topic. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Talk to Clinical Academics and Speech and Language Therapists |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The clinical research team at Bristol Speech and Language Therapy Research Unit attended for a presentation on the research project. Specific details on using brain stimulation as a potential clinical tool was presented. We also discussed broader issues regarding using neuroscience research to refine clinical research questions, build models to better understand speech and language disorders and improve therapy outcomes. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Talk to Speech and Language Therapists and Clinical Academics at Sheffield university |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | I talked about our first, and our current, research projects, in the context of the previous research showing that developmental stuttering has a neurobiological basis. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Talk to student SLTs Birmingham City University seminar series |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | I gave a talk on the brain basis of stuttering, and how brain stimulation could be used as a therapeutic tool to support fluent speech. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Today Program for BBC Radio 4 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Interviewed on Today program for BBC Radio 4 about our research using brain stimulation to enhance fluency in people who stutter. Included student who had helped with the research project. Resulted in several emails from members of the public afterwards. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | podcast interview |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | I was interviewed on the the 'StutterTalk' podcast, which is non-profit organization based in the US. StutterTalk is the first and longest running podcast on stuttering, which reached 180 countries. The podcast interview focussed on the publication of the RCT outcomes, and aimed to be an accessible discussion of this work, and its implications for people who stutter. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |