Retrieval Practice for Word Learning for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children

NCT ID: NCT05512000

Last Updated: 2025-08-28

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

13 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-02-05

Study Completion Date

2025-07-11

Brief Summary

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This study is designed to advance the promising yet underutilized research on retrieval practice by evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of two key retrieval practice features (feedback and spacing). The study uses four single case adapted alternating treatments studies, each with four 5- to 8-year-old children who are deaf and hard of hearing to evaluate the effects of feedback and spacing on the efficiency of word learning and retention.

Detailed Description

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The proposed research addresses a long-standing and important challenge of improving language skills of children who are deaf and hard of hearing, a historically under researched group. The study aims to leverage retrieval practice - an empirically validated intervention approach - for improving how efficiently children who are deaf and hard of hearing learn and retain new words. To advance the promising yet underutilized research on retrieval practice, the study completes the next logical step of evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of two key retrieval practice features: feedback and spacing. Feedback is predicted to result in more efficient learning because it focuses attention on unmastered material, prevents the illusion of success, and reduces repeated errors. Spacing trials are predicted to result in more efficient learning than massed trials because they require more effort with fewer cues provided. The study will accomplish these aims through four single case adapted alternating treatments design studies with sixteen 5- to 8- year-old children who are deaf and hard of hearing. Study innovations include the critical evaluation of retention and use of a multi-session intervention context. The knowledge gained will guide language intervention for children who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Conditions

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Hearing Loss Language Impairment

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Adapted alternating treatments research design with 3 conditions per participant. Four participants are randomly assigned to each contrast (arm).
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Contrast A

Feedback vs no feedback with massed trials

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Feedback with massed trials

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The participant receives feedback on their accuracy completing retrieval practice tasks. Exposures for one word are provided before moving to the next word in each session.

No feedback with massed trials

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The participant does not receive feedback on their accuracy completing retrieval practice tasks. Exposures for one word are provided before moving to the next word in each session.

No teaching control

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The words in this set are not taught, only assessed.

Contrast B

Feedback vs no feedback with spaced trials

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Feedback with spaced trials

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The participant receives feedback on their accuracy completing retrieval practice tasks. Exposures for each word are interspersed with one another (e.g., an exposure for word 1, then one for word 3, then one for word 2, etc.) in each session.

No feedback with spaced trials

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The participant does not receive feedback on their accuracy completing retrieval practice tasks. Exposures for each word are interspersed with one another (e.g., an exposure for word 1, then one for word 3, then one for word 2, etc.) in each session.

No teaching control

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The words in this set are not taught, only assessed.

Contrast C

Spaced vs massed trials without feedback

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

No feedback with massed trials

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The participant does not receive feedback on their accuracy completing retrieval practice tasks. Exposures for one word are provided before moving to the next word in each session.

No feedback with spaced trials

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The participant does not receive feedback on their accuracy completing retrieval practice tasks. Exposures for each word are interspersed with one another (e.g., an exposure for word 1, then one for word 3, then one for word 2, etc.) in each session.

No teaching control

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The words in this set are not taught, only assessed.

Contrast D

Spaced vs massed trials with feedback

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Feedback with massed trials

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The participant receives feedback on their accuracy completing retrieval practice tasks. Exposures for one word are provided before moving to the next word in each session.

Feedback with spaced trials

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The participant receives feedback on their accuracy completing retrieval practice tasks. Exposures for each word are interspersed with one another (e.g., an exposure for word 1, then one for word 3, then one for word 2, etc.) in each session.

No teaching control

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The words in this set are not taught, only assessed.

Interventions

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Feedback with massed trials

The participant receives feedback on their accuracy completing retrieval practice tasks. Exposures for one word are provided before moving to the next word in each session.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Feedback with spaced trials

The participant receives feedback on their accuracy completing retrieval practice tasks. Exposures for each word are interspersed with one another (e.g., an exposure for word 1, then one for word 3, then one for word 2, etc.) in each session.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

No feedback with massed trials

The participant does not receive feedback on their accuracy completing retrieval practice tasks. Exposures for one word are provided before moving to the next word in each session.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

No feedback with spaced trials

The participant does not receive feedback on their accuracy completing retrieval practice tasks. Exposures for each word are interspersed with one another (e.g., an exposure for word 1, then one for word 3, then one for word 2, etc.) in each session.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

No teaching control

The words in this set are not taught, only assessed.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* At least minimal prelingual hearing loss
* Standard scores of at least 70 for receptive and expressive vocabulary skills
* English is only spoken language

Exclusion Criteria

* Below average nonverbal cognition
* Uncorrected vision impairment
* Evidence of severe motor impairment
Minimum Eligible Age

5 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

8 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Vanderbilt University Medical Center

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Jena McDaniel

Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

References

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Provided Documents

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Document Type: Informed Consent Form

View Document

Other Identifiers

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221204

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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