Scenari-Aid DVD simulation tool well-received by adults who stutter
How this was rated
Descriptive survey (n=37) of Australian adults who stutter. Useful for characterizing views and needs; cannot establish effect.
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Thirty-seven adults who stutter used the Scenari-Aid DVD social simulation tool with 25 pre-recorded video scenarios across 7 scenario categories and then completed a survey. Participants overwhelmingly endorsed the tool, with 97-100% positive agreement on anxiety items, 84-97% on fluency items, and 76-97% on therapy/fluency technique value items.
A descriptive survey of Australian adults who stutter, useful for characterizing perspectives and needs; cannot establish effect.
Key findings
- 97-100% positive agreement on anxiety-related items (Table 1, 14 statements)
- 84-97% positive agreement on fluency items (Table 3)
- 76-97% positive agreement on Value to Therapy and Fluency Techniques items (Table 2, 13 statements)
- Nearly all respondents reported scenarios realistically represented feared speaking situations
- 95% agreed the Scenari-Aid DVD was helpful for transferring skills to real life
Background
Many adults who stutter find that the gap between clinical sessions and everyday speaking situations is one of the hardest parts of the support process. Practicing in familiar, safe environments does not always prepare someone for the unpredictability and social pressure of real conversations. Meredith and colleagues developed a DVD-based social simulation tool featuring pre-recorded video scenarios designed to represent commonly feared speaking situations, and they wanted to know whether adults who stutter would find it useful.
What the researchers did
Meredith and colleagues (Federation University Australia, Research Ethics Committee project B11-014) gave 37 adults who stutter access to Scenari-Aid, a DVD-based social simulation tool containing 25 pre-recorded video scenarios across 7 categories: (1) job interviews, (2) medical (GP visits), (3) casual encounters/cafes, (4) fast food, (5) general shops, (6) theater, and (7) appliance stores. These categories were specifically chosen to represent the most commonly feared speaking situations identified by people who stutter. After using the tool, participants completed a structured survey with three tables covering anxiety items, fluency technique value, and real-world transfer.
What they found
The response was overwhelmingly positive. On anxiety-related items, 97-100% of participants agreed that the scenarios were relevant and helpful. On fluency-related items, agreement ranged from 84-97%. Nearly all respondents reported that the scenarios realistically represented situations they found challenging in daily life. Ninety-five percent agreed the tool was helpful for transferring communication skills from clinical settings to real-world situations. Participants particularly valued the ability to practice at their own pace and revisit scenarios as needed.
Why this matters
This study demonstrates that even relatively low-tech simulation tools can be well received by people who stutter when they are designed around realistic, everyday communication challenges. The tool was made freely available online, which is significant for reaching people in rural and underserved areas where specialist support may be limited. It also provides a foundation for understanding what features matter most when designing more advanced simulation tools, including VR-based systems.
Limitations
The study relied entirely on self-report survey data, with no objective measures of communication outcomes or anxiety. There was no control group and no follow-up to assess whether using the tool led to lasting changes. The sample, while reasonable for a pilot, was drawn from a single country and may not represent the broader population of people who stutter.
Implications for practice
Video-based social simulation can serve as a low-cost, accessible supplement to communication support programs. Its free online availability addresses service gaps in rural and underserved areas.
Where this connects to Therapy withVR
The study above is independent research and does not endorse any product. The notes below are commentary from withVR on how the themes in this research relate to features of Therapy withVR. The research findings are not claims about Therapy withVR.
Avatar Speech via Text Input
Type anything and have avatars speak it instantly - creating the responsive, interactive social exchanges explored in this study.
AI-Generated Conversation
Generate contextually appropriate avatar responses with AI Prompts - 14 response types (Clarify, Encourage, Elaborate, etc.) keep conversations natural and flowing.
Café Environment
This study used casual social scenarios - Therapy withVR's Café creates informal speaking situations ideal for practicing everyday conversation skills.
Cite this study
If you reference this study in your work, the canonical citation formats are:
@article{meredith2023,
author = {Meredith, G. and Achterbosch, L. and Peck, B. and Terry, D. and Dekker, E. and Packman, A.},
title = {The Use of an Interactive Social Simulation Tool for Adults Who Stutter: A Pilot Study},
journal = {European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education},
year = {2023},
doi = {10.3390/ejihpe13010014},
url = {https://withvr.app/evidence/studies/meredith-2023}
}TY - JOUR
AU - Meredith, G.
AU - Achterbosch, L.
AU - Peck, B.
AU - Terry, D.
AU - Dekker, E.
AU - Packman, A.
TI - The Use of an Interactive Social Simulation Tool for Adults Who Stutter: A Pilot Study
JO - European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education
PY - 2023
DO - 10.3390/ejihpe13010014
UR - https://withvr.app/evidence/studies/meredith-2023
ER - Know of research that should be in this hub? If a relevant peer-reviewed study is not listed here, send the reference to hello@withvr.app. The hub is kept up to date as the literature grows.
Funding & independence
No withVR BV involvement in funding, study design, or authorship. Summary prepared independently by withVR using the published paper.