ABSTRACT

Background: This brief report presents the results of an exploratory pilot study that evaluated the self-rated communication apprehension of eight control participants and eight older adolescents and adults with velopharyngeal insufficiency resulting from cleft palate with or without cleft lip.

Objectives: The purpose of this exploratory study was to evaluate how older adolescents and adults with a history of repaired CP+/−L and a communication disorder resulting from persisting VPI self-rate communication apprehension for oral speaking situations relative to control participants without a history of clefting and VPI.

Method: Participants in the experimental group were recruited from a hospital-based velopharyngeal dysfunction clinic and diagnosed with velopharyngeal insufficiency resulting from cleft palate with or without cleft lip by a board-certified otolaryngologist. All study participants completed the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension during a single experimental visit to evaluate self-reported communication apprehension.

Results: Significant differences in communication apprehension were found between groups, with the experimental group reporting higher levels of communication apprehension in comparison to the control group. More specifically, significant differences were found between groups for contexts related to communicating orally in group discussions, interpersonal conversations, public speaking, and overall communication apprehension. Our findings provide preliminary evidence that older adolescents and adults with a history of cleft palate with or without cleft lip and velopharyngeal insufficiency experience higher levels of communication apprehension in a variety of contexts requiring oral communication than control participants.

Conclusion: Clinicians may wish to consider administering the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension as a screening tool as part of their clinical assessment, not only to broaden the scope of outcome measurement and to provide comprehensive, contextually relevant, and holistic care, but also to identify those individuals reporting high levels of communication apprehension so appropriate referrals and supports can be implemented.