Home › Cleft Lip and Palate › NCT05492266

Expiratory Muscle Strength Training for Hypernasal Speech in Children

Expiratory Muscle Strength Training as a Non-surgical Option for Velopharyngeal Dysfunction: A Randomized-controlled Trial

Who can join

Ages 5 to 17 · All sexes

Inclusion Criteria:

* Score of 2 or greater on the nasality/resonance domain of the Pittsburgh Weighted Speech Scale
* Ages 5-17 years

Exclusion Criteria:

* CAPS-A-AM hypernasality score \<2
* Previous speech surgery (e.g. palatoplasty or pharyngeal flap for speech)
* Speech surgery scheduled within the next 56 days
* Unable or unwilling to perform the tests and exercises outlined in the study

About the study

When the soft palate does not move enough because of a cleft palate or for unknown reasons, this can lead to a speech difference called velopharyngeal insufficiency. The purpose of this research study is to test if soft palate exercises using a hand help breathing device will help improve the ability of the soft palate to close the area between the throat and nose and help improve speech.

What is being tested

• Expiratory Muscle Strength Training (device)
• Maintenance Training (device)

Sponsor: Noel Jabbour · Participants: 30 · Started: Mar 3, 2025

Contact the study team

• Amber D Shaffer, PhD · Phone: 412-692-6874

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT05492266

Locations in the U.S.

Conditions

• Cleft Lip and Palate
• Speech Intelligibility

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.