Assessing children's speech intelligibility and oral structures, and functions via an internet-based telehealth system

Waite, Monique C., Theodoros, Deborah G., Russell, Trevor G. and Cahill, Louise M. (2012) Assessing children's speech intelligibility and oral structures, and functions via an internet-based telehealth system. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 18 4: 198-203.


Author Waite, Monique C.
Theodoros, Deborah G.
Russell, Trevor G.
Cahill, Louise M.
Title Assessing children's speech intelligibility and oral structures, and functions via an internet-based telehealth system
Journal name Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank B)   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2012-06
Sub-type Article
DOI 10.1258/jtt.2012.111116
Volume number 18
Issue number 4
ISSN 1357-633X
1758-1109
Start page 198
End page 203
Total pages 6
Place of publication London, United Kingdom
Publisher Royal Society of Medicine Press
Collection year 2013
Language eng
Abstract We examined the validity and reliability of an Internet-based telehealth system for screening speech intelligibility and oro-motor structure, and function in children with speech disorders. Twenty children aged 4-9 years were assessed by a clinician in the conventional, face-to-face (FTF) manner; simultaneously, they were assessed by a second clinician via the videoconferencing system using a 128-kbit/s Internet connection. Speech intelligibility in conversation was rated and an informal assessment of oro-motor structure and function was conducted. There was a high level of agreement between the online and FTF speech intelligibility ratings, with 70% exact agreement and 100% close agreement (within ± point on a 5-point scale). The weighted kappa statistic revealed very good agreement between raters (kappa = 0.86). Data for online and FTF ratings of oro-motor function revealed overall exact agreement of 73%, close agreement of 96%, moderate or good strength of agreement for six variables (kappa = 0.48–0.74), and poor to fair agreement for six variables (kappa = 0.12–0.36). Intra- and inter-rater reliability measures (ICCs) were similar between the online and FTF assessments. Low levels of agreement for some oro-motor variables highlighted the subjectivity of this assessment. However, the overall results support the validity and reliability of Internet-based screening of speech intelligibility and oro-motor function in children with speech disorders.
Keyword Reliability
Agreement
Kappa
Q-Index Code C1
Q-Index Status Confirmed Code
Institutional Status UQ

 
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