Academic Articles for Telehealth Effectiveness - Speech Pathologists

Australian Studies:

• Agreement between telehealth and face-to-face assessment of intellectual ability in children with specific learning disorder

In 2018, an Australian pilot study was held to determine the feasibility of telehealth (using Coviu software) in assessing cognitive function in children with learning difficulties. Comparisons were made between the intellectual ability index scores obtained by a psychologist sitting face-to-face with the children and another psychologist via telehealth. Results showed telehealth was comparable to face-to-face sessions in cognitive assessment.

 

• Telehealth language assessments using consumer grade equipment in rural and urban settings: Feasible, reliable and well tolerated

A 2015 Australian study found that standardised language assessments administered via telehealth had highly comparable outcomes to typical face-to-face conditions. Parent and child reactions to telehealth were also largely positive.

 

• Speech-language pathology teletherapy in rural and remote educational settings: Decreasing service inequities

This 2015 Australian feasibility and acceptability study delivered speech-language pathology sessions to children in schools and early childcare settings in rural New South Wales. Treatment outcome data and parental interviews revealed improvement of the children’s speech and language skills and parental reports verified the telehealth service delivery was feasible and acceptable.

 

• Literacy assessment via telepractice is comparable to face-to-face assessment in children with reading difficulties living in rural Australia

This 2019 study compared the results of literacy assessments delivered to children 8-10 years of age via telehealth to those delivered face-to-face. Results revealed strong agreement between telehealth and face-to-face derived scores. Parents also reported a high degree of support in favour of telepractice assessments.

 

The efficacy of telehealth-delivered speech and language intervention for primary school-age children: A systematic review

This 2017 Australian systematic review of the international literature found limited but promising evidence to support telehealth-delivered speech-language pathology interventions being as effective as traditional in-person delivery for primary school-age children with speech and/or language difficulties.

 

• Home-based telehealth service for swallowing and nutrition management following head and neck cancer treatment

This 2017 Australian study matched patients post-chemotherapy for head and neck cancer into standard and telehealth follow-up for speech pathology and dietetics. All patients were successfully managed via telehealth, and the model was actually more efficient, with a reduced number (p < 0.003) and duration (p< 0.01) of appointments required until discharge. Other benefits included patients’ cost savings due to decreased travel requirements and high satisfaction rates by all participants. International Articles:

 

International Studies:

 

• Feasibility of a supplemental phonological awareness intervention via telepractice for children with hearing loss: A preliminary study

This 2017 feasibility study from the US examined a telepractice intervention to improve phonological awareness skills in children with hearing loss as compared to a conventional in-person intervention. All children showed improved phonological awareness skills as measured by a standardised post-test with no significant differences found between the telepractice group and in-person group, suggesting telepractice may be as effective as in-person intervention in improving phonological awareness skills.

 

• Telepractice in the assessment and treatment of individuals with aphasia: A systematic review

 A 2013 systematic review out of the US focusing on telepractice in the assessment and treatment of patients with aphasia. It confirmed the feasibility of telepractice for the implementation of diagnostic, intervention, and consultative services for individuals with aphasia. Further, no significant differences between assessment scores and results were found between the telepractice and in-person groups.

 

Investigating the utility of teletherapy in individuals with primary progressive aphasia

A 2019 American study of teletherapy versus traditional therapy for treatment of primary progressive aphasia (PPA) found improved speech in both groups with treatment outcomes largely equivalent for individuals receiving treatment via teletherapy versus traditional, in-person delivery. This 2011 US feasibility study found low-cost videoconferencing in urban community health clinics for speech, language, and hearing screening of children up to six years of age is feasible, reliable, and strongly supported by the community.

 

• Improving the access of young urban children to speech, language and hearing screening via telehealth

This 2011 US feasibility study found low-cost videoconferencing in urban community health clinics for speech, language, and hearing screening of children up to six years of age is feasible, reliable, and strongly supported by the community.

Academic evidence