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Murphy, Suzanne; Joffe, Victoria; Messer, David; Crafter, Sarah; Radley, Jessica; Suntharajah, Sailaa; Bell, Kerry; Corbacho, Belen; Fairhurst, Caroline; Rodgers, Sara; Torgerson, David and Welch, Charlie
(2019).
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-019-0456-z
Abstract
Background
A number of children experience difficulties with social communication and this has long-term deleterious effects on their mental health, social development and education. The proposal presented in this article describes a feasibility study for a trial to test an intervention (‘E-PLAYS’) aimed at supporting children with social communication impairments. E-PLAYS harnesses technology in the form of a novel computer game in order to develop collaborative and communication skills. Preliminary studies by the authors show that when E-PLAYS was administered by the research team, children with social communication impairments showed improvements on communication test scores and on observed collaborative behaviours. The study described here is a pragmatic trial to test the application of E-PLAYS delivered by NHS speech and language therapists together with schools.
Methods
This protocol outlines a two-arm feasibility cluster-randomised controlled trial of the E-PLAYS intervention with treatment as usual control arm, with randomisation at the level of the speech and language therapist. The aim of this study is to ascertain whether it will be feasible to progress to running a full-scale definitive trial to test the effectiveness of E-PLAYS in an NHS setting. Data relating to recruitment and retention, the appropriateness of outcomes and the acceptability of E-PLAYS to participants will be collected.
Speech and language therapists will select suitable children (ages 4–7 years old) from their caseloads and deliver either the E-PLAYS intervention (experimental group) or treatment as usual (control group). Assessments will include blinded language measures and observations, non-blinded teacher-reported measures of peer relations and classroom behaviour and parent-reported use of resources and quality of life. There will also be a qualitative process evaluation.
Discussion
The findings of this study will inform the decision as to whether to progress to a full-scale definitive randomised controlled trial to test the effectiveness of E-PLAYS when delivered by speech and language therapists and teaching assistants within schools. The use of technology in game form is a novel approach in an area where there are currently few available interventions.
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About
- Item ORO ID
- 73512
- Item Type
- Journal Item
- ISSN
- 2055-5784
- Project Funding Details
-
Funded Project Name Project ID Funding Body TRANSFER IN Evaluating ‘Enhancing Pragmatic Language skills for Young children with Social Communication Disorder (e-plays): a feasibility study 227864 NIHR National Institute for Health Research - Keywords
- social communication; pragmatic language; randomised controlled trial; feasibility study; young children; peer collaboration; communication impairment; computer game
- Academic Unit or School
-
Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies (WELS) > Education, Childhood, Youth and Sport > Education
Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies (WELS) > Education, Childhood, Youth and Sport
Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies (WELS)
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) > Psychology and Counselling > Psychology
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) > Psychology and Counselling
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) - Copyright Holders
- © 2019 Suzanne Murphy, © 2019 Victoria Joffe, © 2019 David Messer, © 2019 Sarah Crafter, © 2019 Jessica Radley, © 2019 Sailaa Suntharajah, © 2019 Kerry Bell, © 2019 Belen Corbacho, © 2019 Caroline Fairhurst, © 2019 Sara Rodgers, © 2019 David Torgerson, © 2019 Charlie Welch
- Depositing User
- Sarah Crafter