Study designs of evaluations included in the review
No inclusion criteria were reported for the study design. The primary studies included randomised and non-randomised controlled studies, single-subject experimental studies, case studies and single-group studies.
Specific interventions included in the review
Studies of non-pharmacological interventions were eligible for the review. Studies that included any pharmacological treatment were excluded. The most frequent interventions used in the included studies were prolonged/smooth speech, regulated breathing and airflow, and response contingencies. Other interventions were listed in the paper.
Participants included in the review
Participants were required to be individuals with developmental stuttering (not acquired, adult-onset, neurogenic or psychogenic). Studies of both adults and children were included.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Studies of interventions intended to have a clinical effect on the participant’s daily life or beyond the setting of the study were eligible for the review, whether or not beyond-clinic measurements were reported. The included studies were assessed against four outcomes criteria: frequency of stuttering reduced to 5%; frequency maintained at 5% or less for at least 6 months post-treatment; improvement in any social, emotional or cognitive (SEC) variable; and improvement in any SEC variable from pre-treatment to 6-month follow-up post-treatment.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
It appears that at least two reviewers were involved in assessing studies for relevance.