How Is Effort Defined in Communication Sciences and Disorders? A Systematic Review of Literature

This review identifies conceptual fragmentation and measurement inconsistency in how effort is defined and operationalized across domains in communication sciences and disorders. By thematically synthesizing the literature, the review reveals a need for more integrated theoretical models and standardized assessment frameworks to advance clinical practice and research in this area. While vocal effort was the most frequently studied type, the definitions and assessment methods varied widely. The quality of the reviewed publications was diverse, with only 8% rated as strong evidence.