HTA research investigates language therapy for children

News release from the National Coordinating Centre for Health Technology Assessment

24 July 2007

New research published by the NIHR HTA programme suggests that well trained, well supported and well motivated speech and language therapy assistants can act as effective surrogates for speech and language therapists in delivering cost-effective services to children with primary language impairment.

Researchers, led by Mr James Boyle of the University of Strathclyde , evaluated the clinical and cost-effectiveness of speech and language therapists compared with speech and language therapy assistants for helping primary school aged children with persistent primary language impairment. Participating children were placed into four groups, two groups received either individual or group therapy from a speech and language therapist and two groups received either individual or group therapy from a speech and language therapy assistant. The research, carried out by teams at the Universities of Strathclyde and Edinburgh, involved 161 children, aged between six and 11, at mainstream schools in Edinburgh and Glasgow and surrounding areas.

An RCT and economic evaluation of direct versus indirect and individual versus group modes of speech and language therapy for children with primary language impairment is published in Health Technol Assess 2007; 11:25. To download the full report visit www.hta.ac.uk/project/1232.asp

Notes for editors


  1. The HTA programme is a programme of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and produces high quality research information about the effectiveness, costs, and broader impact of health technologies for those who use, manage and provide care in the NHS. It is the largest of the NIHR programmes and publishes the results of its research in the Health Technology Assessment journal, with more than 400 issues published to date. The journal’s 2007 Impact Factor (3.87) ranked it in the top 10% of medical and health-related journals. All issues are available for download free of charge from the website, www.hta.ac.uk The HTA programme is coordinated by the National Coordinating Centre for Health Technology Assessment (NCCHTA), based at the University of Southampton.
  2. The National Institute for Health Research provides the framework through which the research staff and research infrastructure of the NHS in England is positioned, maintained and managed as a national research facility.  The NIHR provides the NHS with the support and infrastructure it needs to conduct first-class research funded by the Government and its partners alongside high-quality patient care, education and training.  Its aim is to support outstanding individuals (both leaders and collaborators), working in world class facilities (both NHS and university), conducting leading edge research focused on the needs of patients. www.nihr.ac.uk

Contact details

Naomi Stockley, Programme Manager (Communications)
Telephone: 02380 595 646, Email: ns5@soton.ac.uk

Helen Nikandrou, Assistant Programme Manager (Communications)
Telephone: 02380 595 584, Email: h.nikandrou@soton.ac.uk

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