A Review on the Use of Presurgical Infant Orthopedics to Improve Speech Sound Development in Cleft Lip and Palate Children

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to observe the benefits of presurgical infant orthopedics (PSIO) as an early intervention device to improve speech sound development. Speech sound development was observed in terms of articulatory place, manner, and speech intelligibility. Infants with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) were fitted with passive PSIO devices within the first three weeks of birth. Children’s speech was recorded and assessed on various parameters by listeners. Results regarding the use of PSIO to improve articulatory place, manner, and speech intelligibility were not found.