Actively Recruiting
Developmental Trajectories to Stuttering Persistence and Recovery
Led by Michigan State University · Updated on 2026-04-16
120
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
M
Michigan State University
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying why some children stop stuttering while others continue, focusing on children aged 3 to 6 years who do and do not stutter. The study aims to understand developmental differences in speech and language abilities over time by observing children's brain activity and behavior during specific speech-related tasks. Participants will take part in standardized speech and language assessments and child-friendly experiments. These include listening to sounds, naming pictures while brain activity is recorded with special caps, speaking in virtual reality scenarios with eye tracking and physiological sensors, and synchronizing speech to rhythms. These activities occur once a year for up to five years. Families will attend three visits annually, each lasting about two hours, for up to five years. Parents complete yearly questionnaires and short online surveys between visits. Children undergo assessments covering social, emotional, cognitive, speech, language, and hearing development. Researchers will measure stuttering severity, brain responses, speech synchronization, and reactions during virtual reality tasks to better understand stuttering persistence and recovery.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
The Development of Stuttering in Young Children
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- English as first or primary language
- No history of neurological disease
- Normal or corrected visual acuity
- No medications expected to affect performance
- No intellectual impairment, autism spectrum disorder, or ADHD
- Age-appropriate scores on speech and language assessment battery
- Pass hearing screening at 20 dB at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz, bilaterally
- For children who stutter: speech and language assessments indicating stuttering, phonological, or language disorders
You will not qualify if you...
History of severe allergic reactions to study medication Currently pregnant or breastfeeding Recent participation in another clinical trial within the last 30 days Presence of uncontrolled medical conditions that could affect safety
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Up to 5 years
Participants complete standardized and observational assessments of speech, language, cognition, and social/emotional development to evaluate their abilities and development.
3 visits per year, each lasting approximately 2 hours
Duration - Up to 5 years
Participants and their caregivers complete yearly questionnaires and online surveys, and children take part in yearly tasks including EEG recordings, virtual reality speaking scenarios, and brain activity monitoring to track developmental trajectories.
1 questionnaire and 1 online survey per year; yearly participation in specialized tasks
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Developmental Speech Lab
East Lansing, Michigan, United States, 48824
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
K
Katelyn Gerwin, Ph.D.
B
Bridget Walsh, Ph.D.
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
2
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