A comparative investigation of the laryngeal premotor, adjustment, and reaction times of stutterers and nonstutterers.

The laryngeal premotor, adjustment, and reaction times of 24 stutterers and 24 nonstutterers were assessed by means of a group (2) by stimulus modality (3) by stimulus order (6) factorial investigation. The laryngeal measures were determined from print outs made from electroglottographic recordings taken during the production of [a] that was cued by a visual, auditory, or somato-sensory stimulus. The results revealed that the laryngeal reaction times of stutterers were significantly longer than those of the nonstutterers. Moreover, the reaction times were significantly longer both during the laryngeal premotor and adjustment time periods. The observed between-group difference for each of these laryngeal measures was independent of the stimulus that was employed.