A Comparative Study on Laryngeal Aerodynamics in Dysarthrophonic versus Normophonic Male Subjects

Abstract

Introduction
 Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder. It occurs due to paralysis, weakness, or incoordination of the speech musculature. The authors with this study want to enrich clinical understanding of the difference of the aerodynamic characteristics in normophonic and dysarthric population.
 Materials and method
 The aerodynamic characteristics in normophonics and in dysarthric population were compared and documented using Voice Function Analyzer (Aerophone II®). Forty male individuals within the age range of thirty five to fifty five years participated in this study. The control group had twenty normophonic cases with no history of neurological disorder. The second group had twenty cases with dysarthria.
 Result
 Significant difference was found between the two groups in peak flow, forced volume and duration, vital capacity and fast adduction-abduction measurements.
 Discussion
 The difference in results from both the groups and their implications are discussed based on these findings.
 Conclusion
 The present study has assessed the parameters of speech and voice disorder in male dysarthric individuals. It suggests inclusion of aerodynamic measurement in test protocol and for evidence based research and prognosis documentation. Measurement of laryngeal or vocal tract resistance may be useful in documenting a variety of the perceptual voice characteristics.