Effect of reducing screen time in children with speech delay: a pilot study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of reduced screen time in children presenting with delayed speech.

Method: The quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Department of Paediatrics and the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Combined Military Hospital, Pano Aqil, Pakistan, from August 2020 to June 2023, and comprised all children presenting with specific speech delay between ages 18 months and 5. They were randomised into two groups using the lottery method. Intervention group A had their screen time reduced to zero or <30 minutes per 24 hours for a period of 3 months, while control group B continued with their regular screen time habits. Number of vocabulary words spoken on a daily basis were assessed and compared at baseline and 3 months after reducing the screen time. Data was analysed using SPSS 23.

Results: Of the 160 subjects, 80(50%) were in group A; 46(57.5%) boys and 34(42.5%) girls with mean age 31.85±7.75 months. There were 80(50%) subjects in group B; 43(53.7%) boys and 37(46.3%) girls with mean age 30.69±6.71 months. Overall, mean screen time at baseline was 8.71±1.56 hours (range: 6-10 hours) daily. Number of vocabulary words increased to 76.05±97.27 words post-intervention in group A compared to 3.38±3.00 words in group B (p<0.001). Gender, age, maternal working status, socioeconomic status and peer interaction had no significant effect on the outcome (p>0.05).

Conclusions: Reducing the screen time resulted in a significant improvement in children with speech delay.

Key Words: Speech disorder, Language problems, Children, Media.