Nasopharyngoscopic Velopharyngeal Port Function Assessment: A Randomized Comparative Trial of 3D-Printed Versus Ready-Made Models

Birol N. Y., Ünal Logacev Ö., Yaşar Gündüz E.

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY, cilt.0, ss.1-19, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 0
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1044/2025_ajslp-24-00432
  • Dergi Adı: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, CINAHL, Communication & Mass Media Index, EBSCO Education Source, Education Abstracts, EMBASE, Linguistics & Language Behavior Abstracts, MEDLINE, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, Psycinfo
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-19
  • Erciyes Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Purpose:

This study aimed to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of nasopharyngoscopic velopharyngeal port assessment training given to speech-language pathology undergraduate students using a high-cost, ready-made endoscopy training model versus a low-cost, 3D-printed model.

Method:

A randomized comparison trial was conducted with 36 final-year undergraduate students from nine different speech-language pathology programs in Türkiye. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups and received training either with ready-made endoscopy model or the 3D-printed model. The training included theoretical and practical components, followed by self-confidence, procedural proficiency, and satisfaction assessments.

Results:

Both groups significantly improved in self-confidence and procedural proficiency from the pretest to posttest. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding performance, indicating that the 3D-printed model was as effective as the ready-made model. Satisfaction levels were high across both groups, with no significant differences noted.

Conclusions:

The low-cost, 3D-printed endoscopy training model was found to be as effective as the high-cost, ready-made model in improving students' self-confidence and proficiency in nasopharyngoscopic velopharyngeal port assessment. This finding suggests that 3D-printed models can be a viable and cost-effective alternative for simulation-based education in speech-language pathology programs, particularly in resource-limited settings.