Thiruppugazh As A Therapeutic Intervention In Reducing Stuttering Among School Children

Ancient Indian literature offers meaningful philosophical and practical insights into human development, with emerging relevance to psychological and speech-language interventions. This study explores the therapeutic potential of Thiruppugazh, a 15th-century Tamil devotional anthology known for its complex rhythmic patterns and emphasis on breath control, as an intervention for adolescents with stuttering. The primary objectives were to assess the levels of stuttering and social anxiety, evaluate the effectiveness of Thiruppugazh recitation as a therapeutic tool, and compare outcomes across experimental and control groups. Participants (14–17 years) diagnosed with stuttering were assigned to either experimental groups (receiving Thiruppugazh-based intervention) or control groups (receiving conventional therapy or no intervention). Standardized measures—the Stuttering Severity Instrument–Fourth Edition (SSI-4) and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale for Children and Adolescents (LSAS-CA)—were administered at mid- and post-intervention stages, complemented by semi-structured teacher interviews. Key findings indicated elevated baseline levels of social anxiety among participants, consistent with existing literature. Both experimental groups demonstrated statistically significant reductions in stuttering severity and social anxiety following the intervention. The integration of graded exposure, metronome-aided reading, breathing techniques, and guided imagery likely enhanced treatment efficacy. Thiruppugazh emerged as a promising, culturally resonant intervention, potentially benefiting fluency through its rhythmic structure and breathing-focused delivery. These results support the integration of traditional literary practices within contemporary therapeutic frameworks and encourage further research into culturally informed treatments for speech and psychological disorders.