A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL ON THE EFFICACY OF VACHADI CHOORNA IN SPEECH IMPAIRMENT IN CHILDREN UP TO 12 YEARS

Speech Impairment is the most common impairments presenting in early childhood (8-9%). It can make the children difficult to communicate with other people and often affects a childs quality of life.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of Vachadi Choorna in speech impairment in children up to 12 years. Experimental approach: The study was carried out as a Randomized Controlled Trial, with speech therapy as a control of which efficacy has been proved by earlier studies. Children with speech impairment satisfying the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The subjects were randomly distributed into the study and control groups using simple random sampling. Children in the study group received Vachadi Choorna in two divided doses for internal administration for 45 days while control group received speech therapy as per schedule fixed by Speech-Language pathologist for 45 days.

Findings: The graded responses in both groups were assessed after the treatment and after follow up, clinically and also by using a scale based on Stuttering Severity Instrument for stuttering and Malayalam Articulation Test for Articulation.

Discussion: Analysis of the data using the most appropriate statistical test showed that the trial drug and the speech therapy were effective in improving speech (p<0.001).

Conclusion: The effect of the trial drug in improving speech was significantly greater than that of control group (p<0.05). Thus the efficacy of the drug combination applied in the trial group and its superiority over the control therapy was proved.