Speech Motor Stability in IPD

Abstract

Increasing phonatory effort, an integral component of the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment, LSVT, has been identified as an effective management strategy for adults with hypokinetic dysarthria associated with Parkinsonism. The present study compares the effects of increased loudness on lower lip movements to those of changes in speaking rate, another approach to the treatment of hypokinetic dysarthria. Movements of the lower lip/jaw during speech were recorded from 8 adults with IPD, 8 healthy aged adults, and 8 young adults. The spatiotemporal index (STI), a measure of spatial and temporal variability, revealed that for all speaker groups slow rate was associated with the most variability. Compared to the other conditions, STI values from the loud condition were closest to those from habitual speech. Also, the normalized movement pattern for the loud condition resembled that of habitual speech. It is hypothesized that speaking loudly is associated with a spatial and temporal organization that closely resembles that used in habitual speech, which may contribute to the success of the LSVT.

Functional connectivity changes in adults with developmental stuttering: a preliminary study using quantitative electro-encephalography

“…Since the early 1930’s, it has been claimed that stuttering has its origin in the central nervous system. One of the most consistent findings observed in persons who stutter (PWS) is an anomalous control of the articulatory, laryngeal and respiratory system, mainly due to a timing and coordination deficit (McClean and Runyan, 2000 ; Kleinow et al, 2001 ; McClean et al, 2004 ; Max and Gracco, 2005 ; Loucks and De Nil, 2006 ; Loucks et al, 2007 ). It has become clear that stuttering is not an isolated phenomenon, but rather an element of a more generalized motor timing deficit, as demonstrated in non-speech related movements like finger flexion (Borden, 1983 ), finger tapping (Smits-Bandstra et al, 2006 ) and finger movement sequencing (Forster and Webster, 2001 ).…”

Speed-accuracy tradeoffs in human speech production

“…Decreases in speaking rate may represent a compensatory mechanism in order to maintain accuracy as difficulty increases. Relatedly, but conversely, it has been demonstrated that accuracy and intelligibility decline at markedly increased speaking rates in normal speakers [ 65 , 66 ]. Articulatory difficulty may also be useful for explaining certain speech phenomena on its own.…”

Oromotor variability in children with mild spastic cerebral palsy: a kinematic study of speech motor control

“…In addition, STI index may also be used for assessing the effectiveness of treatment of such problems. Kleinow et al reported reductions in STI in response to a speech treatment for adults with hypokinetic dysarthria associated with Parkinsonism [40]. We may potentially apply this approach to the assessment of intervention designed for children with mild CP.…”