Protocol for a systematic review of interventions not delivered by speech and language therapists for children with speech sound disorders

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Cairney, Maria Viliam and Kevill, Sarah and Cleland, Joanne (2026) Protocol for a systematic review of interventions not delivered by speech and language therapists for children with speech sound disorders. International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders, 61 (1). e70187. ISSN 1368-2822 (https://doi.org/10.1111/1460-6984.70187)

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Abstract

Background: Children with speech sound disorders (SSDs) of unknown origin usually need high‐intensity speech intervention delivered by a speech and language therapist (SLT) and there is a rich evidence base focusing on these interventions. However, access to direct SLT services can be challenging, leaving many children with no timely support. To date there is no systematic review of possible interventions for children with SSD of unknown origin that do not require direct SLT input. Aims: To describe a protocol for a systematic review of non‐SLT‐delivered interventions for children with SSD of unknown origin. Methods and procedures: A systematic literature review will be performed following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, by two academic SLTs who are topic experts and a subject librarian. The search will include electronic databases (including ASSIA, CENTRAL, CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, Embase, LILACS, MEDLINE, APA PsychInfo, PubMed, SCI, Scopus, SSCI) for peer reviewed studies published in English with no limits on publication date. Study selection will follow pre‐specified inclusion criteria: majority children with SSD of unknown origin; and exclusion criteria: interventions targeting signing, AAC, language or delivered by SLTs. The remaining studies will be assessed for risk of bias. Data will be extracted using comprehensive structured forms. A narrative and quantitative synthesis will be provided. Conclusions and implications: The results of this review will support SLTs to make evidence‐based decisions when supporting children with SSDs of unknown origin while managing long waiting lists and large caseloads. The systematic review will make recommendations for improved service delivery, suggesting whether clinical pathways for this client group may also include interventions not involving SLTs. Trial registration: This systematic review protocol has been registered with PROSPERO, registration number CRD420251006629. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on this subject There is a wealth of information about the evidence base for interventions for children with speech sound disorders (SSDs) of unknown origin delivered directly by speech and language therapists (SLTs). However, there is limited information about the effectiveness of alternative interventions delivered by therapy partners or mediated via a digital tool. What this study adds to the existing knowledge This paper outlines the protocol for a systematic literature review on interventions for children with SSD that are not delivered by SLTs. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this study? The results of this review will provide SLTs with the current evidence base for interventions for children with SSD that do not require their direct input, which they might consider for implementation while managing large caseloads or long waiting lists.

ORCID iDs

Cairney, Maria Viliam ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4350-6082, Kevill, Sarah and Cleland, Joanne ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0660-1646;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)