Dysarthria

About: Dysarthria is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 2402 publications have been published within this topic receiving 56554 citations.

Speech pathology & Parkinson's disease in the home environment.

Abstract: Those with Parkinson's Disease often suffer speech limitations distinct from other neurological diseases and stroke. Symptoms of dysarthria, the clinical term of impaired, uncoordinated, and weakened speech musculature, include reduced volume, breathiness, monotone pitch, accelerated rate of speech, and inability to communicate effectively over the telephone, in groups, and even in quiet one-to-one settings. The author discusses the voice, speech, and related deficits encountered by individuals with Parkinson's Disease and the speech-language pathologist's role in addressing these deficits.

The effect of SpeechVive device on speech intelligibility in Parkinson’s Disease patients: Randomized Clinical Trial Protocol

Abstract: Background: Hypokinetic dysarthria -with hypophonia as its main symptom- is a common feature of Parkinson’s disease, affecting approximately 90% of patients. Hypophonia, characterized by reduced speech volume, leads to difficulties in communication with others due to decreased speech intelligibility. Current treatments involve intensive and cognitively demanding behavioral therapies such as the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT). The SpeechVive is a wearable device that produces noise to elicit increased vocal intensity utilizing a natural reflex through the Lombard effect.Methods: We propose a multicenter, phase III, two-armed, parallel, open-label, randomized controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of LSVT with SpeechVive. We seek to assign 238 patients to either LSVT or SpeechVive device in a 1:1 ratio through a stratified permuted block randomization. Patients ages 50 to 80 years, diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson's Disease based on MDS-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) criteria, a Hoehn and Yahr stage 2 and 3, on stable dopaminergic doses for the past 3 months, with perceived communication difficulties will be included in the trial. Patients will be excluded if they present additional neurodegenerative diseases, prior stroke, laryngeal pathologies, hearing or a severe visual impairment, or who underwent speech therapy or have a deep brain stimulation electrode implanted. The primary outcome is speech intelligibility measured through the Speech Intelligibility Test (SIT) for windows. Secondary outcomes include adherence, the vocal intensity measured with Sound Pressure Level (SPL), Vocal Handicap Index (VIH), and Parkinson's Disease Questionary-39. We will measure each outcome at baseline and after eight weeks of treatment. Our principal statistical analysis is multiple linear regression analysis, with age, gender, site, and PD severity as covariates.Discussion: We present a protocol for a randomized controlled trial addressing an important issue that hampers the ability of Parkinson's Disease patients to communicate effectively. We aim at exploring SpeechVive as an alternative, more accessible treatment for hypophonia in patients with Parkinson’s Disease. Keywords: SpeechVive device, Lee Silverman Speech Therapy (LSVT), hypophonia, Parkinson's Disease, the Lombard effect, Speech intelligibility.

Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 13

Abstract: Clinical characteristics Spinocerebellar ataxia type 13 (SCA13) is a phenotypic spectrum that includes both non-progressive infantile-onset ataxia and progressive childhood-onset and adult-onset cerebellar ataxia. Three phenotypes are seen: Cerebellar hypoplasia with non-progressive infantile-onset limb, truncal, and gait ataxia with mild-to-moderate intellectual disability and occasionally seizures and/or psychiatric manifestations. Cognition and motor skills improve over time. Childhood-onset slowly progressive cerebellar atrophy with slowly progressive cerebellar ataxia and dysarthria, delayed motor milestones, and mild-to-moderate intellectual disability Adult-onset progressive cerebellar atrophy with progressive ataxia and spasticity Diagnosis/testing The diagnosis of spinocerebellar ataxia type 13 (SCA13) is established in a proband with suggestive clinical and brain imaging findings and a heterozygous KCNC3 pathogenic variant identified by molecular genetic testing. Management Treatment of manifestations: A multidisciplinary approach to management of ataxia and related neurologic manifestations is recommended including neurology, physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), speech and language pathology, and feeding team, as well as experts in educational needs and/or social/behavioral issues. Surveillance: Regular neurologic examinations to evaluate disease progression and response to treatment; PT/OT to assess mobility and activities of daily living; feeding team re nutrition and risk for aspiration; speech and language pathology re dysarthria. Regular assessment of educational / mental health needs. Agents/circumstances to avoid: Alcohol and sedating drugs, which can exacerbate ataxia. Genetic counseling SCA13 is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. In rare instances, an individual diagnosed with SCA13 has the disorder as the result of a de novo KCNC3 pathogenic variant. Each child of an individual with SCA13 has a 50% chance of inheriting the KCNC3 pathogenic variant. Once the KCNC3 pathogenic variant has been identified in an affected family member, prenatal testing for a pregnancy at increased risk and preimplantation genetic testing are possible.

A Critical Analysis and Review of Assistive Technology: Advancements, Laws, and Impact on Improving the Rehabilitation of Dysarthric Patients

Abstract: Assistive Technology (AT) is a life enabler for persons with disabilities. Speech, hearing, and vision impairment are the common causes of disability. Speech-impaired people find it difficult to lead a normal life, as speech is the basic means of communication to express one's thoughts and feelings. Dysarthria is one such speech disorder in which the muscles responsible for speech production and articulation are weak and difficult to control. Dysarthria is identified by slurred or collapsed speech that can be unintelligible. The proposed work focuses on the advancements and design considerations in AT services, laws, and the impact of technology on improving the quality of life of dysarthric patients. A comparative study on various laws and professional bodies available in the United States, India, and Europe is also detailed as part of this work. Furthermore, the impact caused in dysarthric patients through AT is also analyzed. This pilot work can be useful for speech language pathologists, rehabilitation specialists, caretakers, and dysarthric speakers in aspects of AT development, AT legal procedures and AT impact. Henceforth, the proposed work aims at improving the rehabilitation of dysarthric patients by overcoming communication difficulties through AT.