Alcohol responsiveness in stuttering

Thank you for considering participating in the research project entitled: Alcohol responsiveness in stuttering: a survey study

This research is being conducted by:

¹Speech Pathology, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

Purpose and background:
Some people report that their stuttering improves after ingesting alcohol. We would like to investigate this anecdotal clinical observation further by surveying a large population of people who stutter.

A total of 150-200 people are expected to participate in this project.

You have been invited to participate in this research project because you are a member of the Australian Speak Easy Association and identify as someone who stutters.

Procedure: The project involves completing an online, anonymous survey (accessed using the link below).  The survey consists of multiple choice and short answer questions. Completing this survey will take approximately 10 minutes of your time.

Participation is voluntary. If you do not wish to take part you are not obligated to. Should you decide to take part and then change your mind, you are not compelled nor obliged to continue. However, please be aware that if you do consent to participate and begin the survey, the data you provide cannot be withdrawn at a later stage as all responses collected are de-identified.

Privacy, Confidentiality and Disclosure of Information: Any information you provide in this survey is anonymous. The results will be held in the office of Dr. Anna Rumbach at The University of Queensland for at least 5 years, as required by the National Health and Information Research Council. At the end of this time period, paper documents will be shredded and disposed of by the University's 'secure destruction service'. Electronic files will be deleted.

Possible benefits: Participation in this study may not directly benefit you. However, your participation in the project may result in an increased understanding of potential therapeutic effects of alcohol in the symptomatic management of stuttering. Results from this study may support future identification and investigation of a medication that mimics the effects of alcohol.

Possible risks: There are no risks associated with participation in the online survey. There are no questions included in the survey that are personal or sensitive in nature.

Results of the Project: Information regarding the results and overall outcomes of the survey will be provided to you on request. Contact details for Dr. Anna Rumbach are available below, as well as on the final page of the survey. Direct publications arising from the study will be provided to the president of the Australian Speak Easy Association who can disseminate the findings of the project. The results will be disseminated internationally through a peer-reviewed publication.

Financial Issues: You will not be paid for your participation in this project.

Ethical guidelines: This project is being carried out in accordance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research Involving Humans produced by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia. This statement has been developed to protect the interests of people who agree to participate in human research studies.

The ethical aspects of the research project have been approved by The University of Queensland’s Ethical Review Committee, (Project number 2019000132).

If you would like to speak to an officer of the University not involved in the project, you may contact an Ethics Officer on (07) 3365 3924.