Evaluating adaptation effect in real versus virtual reality environments with people who stutter

ABSTRACT

Introduction

The adaptation effect refers to the gradual reduction of dysfluencies with repeated exposure to a substance. The concept of adaptation was originally defined in light of the reading task. Yet, limited studies have also confirmed the adaptation effect in spontaneous-speech. The reduction in the dysfluencies can be attributed to the reduction in the anxiety, or getting habituated to the content of reading material or due to motor learning.

Methods

This research aimed at measuring the adaptation effect in real and virtual reality (VR) environments for spontaneous-speech and reading. The objectives were divided into two categories. The first objective aimed at comparing the adaption effect for the real and VR environments on the reading task, while the second objective addressed the same objective, but for the spontaneous-speech task. The study involved 24 participants in the age range of 19–33 years. SSI-4 was administered on the participants.

Conclusion

The reduction in dysfluencies was seen for both real and VR testing environments. The reduction in the dysfluency was more marked for reading-task compared to spontaneous-speech task. The results shed light on the relationship between adaptation effect and the test environment.

KEYWORDS:

• Real Environment
• virtual Environment
• task Variability
• dysfluency
• stuttering

Article highlights

• The study investigated the adaptation effect in real versus virtual settings; it was proved that the adaptation effect was more markedly seen in the virtual setting than the real setting.

• The study used a spontaneous speech task in addition to the reading task, this makes the study novel.

• The virtual setting is found to be less anxious for persons with stuttering and hence has the potential to be used globally to explore many clinical aspects in persons with stuttering.

• The study is expected to garner interest in researchers as novel aspects has been explored.

Data availability

All data generated or analyzed during this study are presented in the manuscript. Please contact the author for access to data presented in this study.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

The paper was funded by the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia Grant Number GRP 204-41.