Can early speech therapy boost language in preterm babies?

NCT ID NCT04384328

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested an early speech therapy program for children born very prematurely or with severe growth restriction. The program involved 10 to 20 sessions with a trained speech therapist from 6 to 24 months of age. The goal was to see if it could reduce language and communication problems at age 2. The study was terminated early and included 76 participants.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Early support programme in speech therapy (10-20 sessions from 6 to 24 months corrected age)

What this could lead to

If successful, this program could help reduce language and communication delays in children born very prematurely or with severe growth restriction.

What could go wrong

The study was terminated early and was small (76 participants), non-randomized, and open-label, so results may be limited and not generalizable.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

fetal growth restriction Language Development Disorders Premature Birth language disorder prevention target

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Centre Hospitalier Louis Mourier

    Colombes, 92700, France

  • Centre Hospitalier Rives de Seine

    Neuilly-sur-Seine, 92200, France

  • Centre Hospitalier Sud Francilien

    Corbeil-Essonnes, 91100, France

  • Hôpital Antoine Béclère

    Clamart, 92141, France