Effect of biofeedback-based relaxation on stuttering during reading and spontaneous speech

Conducted 3 studies to develop methodology for using biofeedback to reduce stuttering by teaching relaxation of speech-related muscles. A total of 19 stutterers (mean ages 22.1-24.6 yrs) participated in 8-25 1-hr sessions. In Study 1, 7 Ss learned voluntary relaxation of the masseter muscles, and stuttering was essentially eliminated while reading units of 1-4 syllables. Study 2 attempted to enhance the generalization of fluency by training 6 Ss to develop their own internal cues for relaxation. Fluency generalized well to periods of no feedback, but relaxation generalized much less well. In Study 3, which specifically attempted to enhance the generalization of relaxation, 6 Ss were successfully trained to generalize both relaxation and fluency skills to spontaneous speech periods of up to 4-word units involving no feedback. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).