Updated Systematic-Narrative Review on Communication Intervention in Rett Syndrome: 2010–2022
Augmentative & Alternative Communication
Sigafoos, J., Roche, L., et al. (2023).
Augmentative & Alternative Communication, 39(4), 241-255.
This systematic narrative review investigates the effects of communication interventions for individuals with Rett syndrome. This systematic review is updated from Sigafoos et al. (2009), please see the Notes on This Article section below for the full citation.
Rett Elternhilfe e.v. (Germany); Rett Syndrome Europe
This narrative systematic review is an update of:<br />
<ul>
<li>Sigafoos, J., Green, V.A. (2009). Communication Intervention in Rett Syndrome: A Systematic Review. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 3(2), 304-318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2008.09.006</li>
</ul>
2010 to May 11, 2022
Peer-reviewed journal articles
16
Generally, communication interventions demonstrated positive effects for individuals with Rett syndrome. Specific findings include:<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #333333;">Thirteen out of 16 studies reported positive outcomes (e.g., percentage of correct responses, increased verbal expression) following communication interventions for individuals with Rett syndrome (4 studies with Conclusive Evidence, 2 studies with Suggestive Evidence, and 7 studies with Inconclusive Evidence)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333;">Two studies reported mixed effects. One study investigated the effects of music therapy (Inconclusive Evidence), and another study investigated transcranial direct current stimulation (Suggestive Evidence)</span><span style="color: #333333;">. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333;">One study, which investigated the impact of cognitive rehabilitation software delivered via an eye-gaze system, found no treatment effect. </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #333333;">Limitations to this review include an overall lack of research, small sample sizes, a lack of reporting of patient characteristics within studies (e.g., stage or variant of Rett's syndrome), and heterogeneity between studies regarding treatment approaches and overall design. </span>
