MPI-2 Stuttering

The MPI stuttering therapy is based on the many years of research by UCSB Speech and Hearing Professor Dr. Roger J. Ingham and colleagues. After a lengthy period of basic research and clinical trials, the MPI Program emerged and was tested in Phase II clinical trials with NIH support. The results of these trials show that the program is very effective in achieving sustained and durable fluency with clients who meet a series of assessment criteria.

MPI is short for Modify Phonation Intervals. A phonated interval (PI) is the elapsed time of a voiced unit of speech. Through extensive research and studies, Professor Dr. Roger J. Ingham and colleagues have found that by “modifying” the client’s PIs it is possible to achieve durable and natural-sounding fluent speech in most clients who meet selection criteria.

The MPI treatment schedule is divided into four phases. Those phases are Pretreatment, Establishment, Transfer, and Maintenance. Each phase of the therapy is designed to be managed jointly by the client and the clinician. Once treatment is complete, most clients achieve natural-sounding stutter-free speech.

Four Phase Treatment

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PreTreatment Phase

The Pretreatment Phase is composed of within-clinic speaking tasks and Beyond-clinic speaking tasks. The principal purpose of the Pretreatment Phase speaking task is to (a) collect baserate beyond- and within-clinic recordings of the subject’s speech performance and (b) identify the subject’s functional PI range.

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Establishment Phase

The goal of the Establishment Phase is for the client to achieve stutter-free and natural sounding speech within the clinic. This is accomplished by using specialized biofeedback software that is customized to the client by the clinician.

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Transfer Phase

The aim of the Transfer Phase is for the client to transfer the same stutter-free and natural sounding speech established within the clinic outside of the clinic. This is accomplished with real-world speaking assignments (i.e. talking on the phone, to a person, etc).

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Maintenance Phase

The purpose of the Maintenance Phase is to maintain the progress achieved in the Transfer Phase while gradually reducing the client off of the speaking tasks.