Towards a core outcome set for dysarthria after stroke: What should we measure?

OBJECTIVE: To identify and agree on what outcome domains should be measured in research and clinical practice when working with stroke survivors who have dysarthria. DESIGN: Delphi process, two rounds of an online survey followed by two online consensus meetings. SETTING: UK and Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Stroke survivors with experience of dysarthria, speech and language therapists/pathologists working in stroke and communication researchers. METHODS: Initial list of outcome domains generated from existing literature and with our patient and public involvement group to develop the survey. Participants completed two rounds of this survey to rate importance. Outcomes were identified as 'in', 'unclear' or 'out' from the second survey. All participants were invited to two consensus meetings to discuss these results followed by voting to identify critically important outcome domains for a future Core Outcome Set. All outcomes were voted on in the consensus meetings and included if 70% of meeting participants voted 'yes' for critically important. RESULTS: In total, 148 surveys were fully completed, and 28 participants attended the consensus meetings. A core outcome set for dysarthria after stroke should include four outcome domains: (a) intelligibility of speech, (b) ability to participate in conversations, (c) living well with dysarthria, (d) skills and knowledge of communication partners (where relevant). CONCLUSIONS: We describe the consensus of 'what' speech outcomes after stroke are valued by all stakeholders including those with lived experience. We share these findings to encourage the measurement of these domains in clinical practice and research and for future research to identify 'how' best to measure these outcomes.

Guideline adherence in speech and language therapy in stroke aftercare. A health insurance claims data analysis.

BACKGROUND: Impairments to comprehension and production of speech (aphasia, dysarthria) and swallowing disorders (dysphagia) are common sequelae of stroke, reducing patients' quality of life and social participation. Treatment oriented on evidence-based guidelines seems likely to improve outcomes. Currently, little is known about guideline adherence in stroke aftercare for the above-mentioned sequelae. This study aims to analyse guideline adherence in the treatment of aphasia, dysarthria and dysphagia after stroke, based on suitable test parameters, and to determine factors that influence the implementation of recommended therapies. METHODS: Six test parameters were defined, based on systematic study of guidelines for the treatment of speech impairments and swallowing disorders (e.g. comprehensive diagnostics, early initiation and continuity). Guideline adherence in treatment was tested using claims data from four statutory health insurance companies. Multivariate logistic and linear regression analyses were performed in order to test the outcomes. RESULTS: 4,486 stroke patients who were diagnosed with specific disorders or received speech therapy were included in the study. The median age was 78 years; the proportion of women was 55.9%. Within the first year after the stroke, 90.3% of patients were diagnosed with speech impairments and swallowing disorders. Overall, 44.1% of patients received outpatient speech and language therapy aftercare. Women were less frequently diagnosed with specific disorders (OR 0.70 [95%CI:0.55/0.88], p = 0.003) and less frequently received longer therapy sessions (OR 0.64 [95%CI:0.43/0.94], p = 0.022). Older age and longer hospitalization duration increased the likelihood of guideline recommendations being implemented and of earlier initiation of stroke aftercare measures. CONCLUSIONS: Our observations indicate deficits in the implementation of guideline recommendations in stroke aftercare. At the same time, they underscore the need for regular monitoring of implementation measures in stroke aftercare to address group-based disparities in care.

Cost analysis of home telerehabilitation for speech treatment in people with Parkinson's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Geographical barriers and impaired physical mobility among people with Parkinson's disease (PD) hinder their timely access to speech pathology services. We compared the costs of delivering a speech treatment via in-person consultation versus telerehabilitation. METHODS: We used data from a non-inferiority randomised controlled trial delivering the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD®), where patients with dysarthria associated with PD were assigned to either the urban in-person group (N = 16) or the urban online group (N = 15), supplemented with a non-randomised group (regional online; N = 21). We compared costs over a one-month treatment period from a health-system perspective and a patient perspective. RESULTS: The mean treatment costs of both urban online ($1076) and regional ($1206) treatments tended to be slightly higher than urban in-person ($1020) from a health-system perspective. From a patient perspective, the mean treatment cost was $831 in the urban in-person group, $247 in the urban online group and $200 in the regional group. DISCUSSION: LSVT LOUD® may be delivered via telerehabilitation at a slightly higher cost than in-person delivery from a health-system perspective, but it is cost saving from a patient perspective. Telerehabilitation is an economically beneficial alternative for the delivery of the LSVT LOUD® programme in PD patients with speech disorders.

Neuroprosthesis for Decoding Speech in a Paralyzed Person with Anarthria.

BACKGROUND: Technology to restore the ability to communicate in paralyzed persons who cannot speak has the potential to improve autonomy and quality of life. An approach that decodes words and sentences directly from the cerebral cortical activity of such patients may represent an advancement over existing methods for assisted communication. METHODS: We implanted a subdural, high-density, multielectrode array over the area of the sensorimotor cortex that controls speech in a person with anarthria (the loss of the ability to articulate speech) and spastic quadriparesis caused by a brain-stem stroke. Over the course of 48 sessions, we recorded 22 hours of cortical activity while the participant attempted to say individual words from a vocabulary set of 50 words. We used deep-learning algorithms to create computational models for the detection and classification of words from patterns in the recorded cortical activity. We applied these computational models, as well as a natural-language model that yielded next-word probabilities given the preceding words in a sequence, to decode full sentences as the participant attempted to say them. RESULTS: We decoded sentences from the participant's cortical activity in real time at a median rate of 15.2 words per minute, with a median word error rate of 25.6%. In post hoc analyses, we detected 98% of the attempts by the participant to produce individual words, and we classified words with 47.1% accuracy using cortical signals that were stable throughout the 81-week study period. CONCLUSIONS: In a person with anarthria and spastic quadriparesis caused by a brain-stem stroke, words and sentences were decoded directly from cortical activity during attempted speech with the use of deep-learning models and a natural-language model. (Funded by Facebook and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03698149.).

Liuzijue qigong versus traditional breathing training for patients with post-stroke dysarthria complicated by abnormal respiratory control: Results of a single-center randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate whether liuzijue qigong could improve the ability of respiratory control and comprehensive speech in patients with stroke dysarthria. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial. SETTING: The research was carried out in the department of rehabilitation. PARTICIPANTS: Altogether, a total of 98 stroke patients with dysarthria participated in the study. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly divided into two groups (the experimental group: basic articulation + liuzijue qigong, 48 patients or the control group: basic articulation + traditional breathing training, 50 patients). All therapies were conducted once a day, five times a week for three weeks. MAIN MEASURES: Primary outcome measure: Speech breathing level of the modified Frenchay Dysarthria Assessment. Secondary outcome measures: the modified Frenchay Dysarthria Assessment, maximum phonation time, maximal counting ability, /s/, /z/, s/z ratio, and the loudness level. All outcome measures were assessed twice (at baseline and after three weeks). RESULTS: At three weeks, There were significant difference between the two groups in the change of speech breathing level (81% vs 66%, P = 0.011), the modified Frenchay Dysarthria Assessment (5.54 (4.68-6.40) vs 3.66 (2.92-4.40), P = 0.001), maximum phonation time (5.55 (4.92-6.18) vs 3.01(2.31-3.71), P < 0.01), maximal counting ability (3.08(2.45-3.71) vs 2.10 (1.53-2.67), P = 0.018), and /s/ (3.08 (2.39-3.78) vs 1.87 (1.23-2.51), P = 0.004), while no significant differences were found in the change of /z/ (3.08 (2.31-3.86) vs 2.10 (1.5-2.64), P = 0.08), s/z ratio (1.26 (0.96-1.55) vs 1.03 (0.97-1.09), P = 0.714), and the change of loudness level (69% vs 60%, P = 0.562). CONCLUSIONS: Liuzijue qigong, combined with basic articulation training, could improve the respiratory control ability, as well as the comprehensive speech ability of stroke patients with dysarthria. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR-INR-16010215.

Dysarthria and stroke. The effectiveness of speech rehabilitation. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the studies.

INTRODUCTION: Speech difficulties, such as dysarthria or aphasia, in addition to motor impairments are frequently seen in post-stroke patients. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Literature searches with the keywords: "stroke" and "dysarthria" and "diagnosis" and "stroke" and "dysarthria" and "assessment" were conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases to perform the systematic review about the methods used to measure the severity of dysarthria in subjects post-stroke. The search was performed by two authors from 15 January to 22 February 2020. The research identified a total of 402 articles for the search using the keywords "stroke" and "dysarthria," and "diagnosis" and 84 references for the search using the keywords "stroke" and "dysarthria" and "assessment." Sixty-nine selected articles were analyzed by the reviewers. Thirty-seven publications met the inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review. Thirty-two articles were excluded for several reasons: 1) 12 involved individuals with aphasia or other speech problems different from dysarthria; 2) 12 examined different topics from our aim; and 3) eight did not include post-stroke cases. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: The systematic review identified methods for measuring the severity of post-stroke dysarthria. The meta-analysis showed the acoustic parameters affected in dysarthria secondary to stroke and the differences in these parameters after speech therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The alternating and sequential motion rate (AMR- Pə, AMR-Tə, AMR-Kə, and SMR-PəTəKə) and maximum phonation time were significantly improved after speech rehabilitation.

Speech and language therapy treatment on hypokinetic dysarthria in Parkinson disease: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of speech and language therapy (SLT) on Hypokinetic dysarthria (HD) in Parkinson's disease. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. METHODS: We performed a literature search of randomized controlled trials using PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct and Cochrane database (last search October 2020). Quality assessment and risk of bias were assessed using the Downs and Black scale and the Cochrane tool. The data were pooled and a meta-analysis was completed for sound pressure levels, perceptual intelligibility and inflection of voice fundamental frequency. RESULTS: We selected 15 high to moderate quality studies, which included 619 patients with Parkinson's disease. After pooling the data, 7 studies, which compared different speech language therapies to no treatment, control groups and 3 of their variables, (sound pressure level, semitone standard deviation and perceptual intelligibility) were included in the analysis.Results showed significant differences in favor of SLT for sound pressure level sustained phonation tasks (standard mean difference = 1.79; 95% confidence interval = 0.86, 2.72; p ⩽ 0.0001). Significant results were also observed for sound pressure level and semitone standard deviation in reading tasks (standard mean difference = 1.32; 95% confidence interval = 1.03, 1.61; p ⩽ 0.0001). Additionally, sound pressure levels in monologue tasks showed similar results when SLT was compared to other treatments (standard mean difference = 0.87; 95% confidence interval = 0.46, 1.28; p ⩽ 0.0001). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests a beneficial effect of SLT for reducing Hypokinetic Dysarthria in Parkinson's disease, improving perceptual intelligibility, sound pressure level and semitone standard deviation.

Proposta de aplicação da comunicação alternativa para paciente com doença neurodegenerativa e seu impacto na qualidade vida: relato de caso / Proposal of application of alternative communication for patient with neurodegenerative disease and its impact on quality of life: case report / Propuesta de aplicación de comunicación alternativa para paciente com enfermedad neurodegenerativa y su impacto en la calidad de vida: caso clínico

Trata-se de um relato de caso de um indivíduo do sexo masculino com 51 anos, nível superior completo, nível socioeconômico favorável, diagnosticado em 1999 com Ataxia de Friedreich. Chega ao ambulatório de Fonoaudiologia, com ênfase no atendimento de adultos com doenças degenerativas, sob encaminhamento da equipe de genética do serviço do mesmo hospital. Ao exame fonoaudiológico diagnostica-se uma disfagia orofaríngea de moderada a grave e uma disartria grave. A disfagia é reabilitada via home care particular por opção do paciente, e no ambulatório, com objetivo de melhora da qualidade de vida criou-se uma proposta de aplicação da comunicação aumentativa e/ou alternativa para o desenvolvimento das habilidades de comunicação do paciente que já não estava mais se expressando. Foram realizadas duas avaliações (pré e pós terapia) e quatro sessões de intervenção terapêutica para o aprendizado e implementação da prancha de comunicação alternativa. Ao término do processo terapêutico verificou-se baixa adesão ao uso da comunicação aumentativa e/ou alternativa, mesmo com a auto-percepção da ininteligibilidade da sua fala, utilizando a pasta restrita ao atendimento fonoaudiológico. Tanto o paciente quanto seus acompanhantes referiram que mesmo após várias tentativas houve negação ao uso da comunicação alternativa. Embora tenham sido poucas sessões, não houve impacto da qualidade de vida do paciente após uso da comunicação aumentativa e/ou alternativa.

Este es un informe del caso de un hombre de 51 años, con educación universitaria completa, estatus socioeconómico favorable, diagnosticado en 1999 con ataxia de Friedreich. Llega a la clínica de terapia del habla, con énfasis en ayudar a adultos con enfermedades degenerativas, bajo la guía del equipo de genética al servicio del mismo hospital. El examen notas la disfagia orofaríngea moderada a severa y la disartria severa. La disfagia se rehabilita mediante atención domiciliaria privada a elección del paciente y en la clínica ambulatoria con el objetivo de mejorar la calidad de vida, se creó una propuesta para la aplicación de comunicación aumentativa y/o alternativa para desarrollar las habilidades de comunicación del paciente que ya no era más expresándose a sí mismos. Se realizaron dos evaluaciones (pre y post terapia) y cuatro sesiones de intervención terapéutica para aprender e implementar el tablero de comunicación alternativo. Al final del proceso terapéutico, hubo una baja adherencia al uso de comunicación aumentativa y/o alternativa, incluso con la autopercepción de la ininteligibilidad de su discurso, usando la carpeta restringida a la terapia del habla. Tanto el paciente como sus compañeros informaron que incluso después de varios intentos hubo una negación del uso de comunicación alternativa. Aunque hubo pocas sesiones, no hubo impacto en la calidad de vida del paciente después de usar comunicación aumentativa y/o alternativa.

This is a case report of a 51-year-old male, with complete college education, favorable socioeconomic status, diagnosed in 1999 with Friedreich's Ataxia. He arrives at the speech therapy clinic, with an emphasis on assisting adults with degenerative diseases, under the guidance of the genetics team at the service of the same hospital. Speech examination examines moderate to severe oropharyngeal dysphagia and severe dysarthria. Dysphagia is rehabilitated via private home care at the patient's option and in the outpatient clinic with the objective of improving quality of life, a proposal for the application of augmentative and/or alternative communication was created to develop the communication skills of the patient who was no longer expressing himself. Two evaluations (pre and post therapy) and four therapeutic intervention sessions were carried out to learn and implement the alternative communication board. At the end of the therapeutic process, there was low adherence to the use of augmentative and / or alternative communication, even with the self-perception of the unintelligibility of his speech, using the folder restricted to speech therapy. Both the patient and his companions reported that even after several attempts there was a denial of the use of alternative communication. Although there were few sessions, there was no impact on the patient's quality of life after using augmentative and/or alternative communication.

Speech rehabilitation in dysarthria after stroke: a systematic review of the studies.

INTRODUCTION: Speech difficulties such as dysarthria or aphasia are frequently seen, in addition to motor impairments, in subjects after stroke. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Literature searches with the keywords: "stroke" AND "dysarthria" AND "speech therapy" OR "language therapy" were conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Web of Science to perform the systematic review about the several strategies used to treat dysarthria in subjects after stroke. The search was performed independently by two authors (CR and VM) from December 15th 2019 to January 15th 2020, using the PICOS criteria: participants were aging adults (>18 years old) affected by stroke; intervention was based on rehabilitation speech therapy; comparator was any comparator (all logopedic and speech rehabilitation tools); outcomes included clinical assessments, diagnostic scales and acoustic analysis of voice; and study design was RCTs, case series and case report, observational studies. The research identified a total of 94 articles for the first search and 56 for the second search. Sixty selected articles were analyzed by the reviewers. Twenty-five publications met the inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review. Thirty-three articles were excluded for the following reasons: 12 involved individuals with aphasia or other speech problems different from dysarthria, 10 examined the clinical features of dysarthria, 3 treated on the impact of dysarthria on social participation following stroke, 8 did not include cases after stroke. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: A systematic review was performed to identify the main used speech rehabilitation treatments for dysarthria after stroke. We defined the several techniques to better guide the physician to delineate a speech rehabilitation protocol adopting the better strategies described in the current literature. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review tried to provide to the reader a complete overview of the literature of all possible different speech treatments for dysarthria after stroke. A correct protocol could permit to improve the communication and the quality of life of these subjects.

"Ode to confidence": Poetry groups for dysarthria in multiple sclerosis.

Purpose: Approximately 40-50% of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) have dysarthria impacting confidence in communication. This study explored how people with MS experienced a novel therapeutic approach combining dysarthria therapy with poetry in a group format.Method: Participants were recruited through MSWA (formerly known as the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Western Australia), a leading service provider for people living with all neurological conditions in Western Australia. They attended eight weekly sessions led by a speech pathologist and a professional poet. The study was co-designed and qualitative, using observational field notes recorded during sessions and semi-structured in-depth interviews with participants after programme completion. The results from an informal, unstandardised rating scale of communication confidence, along with standardised voice and speech measures, were used to facilitate discussion about confidence in the interviews.Result: Nine participants with MS completed the group programme. Analysis of the qualitative data revealed participants' positive views regarding the pairing of speech pathology and poetry. Thematic analysis identified four core themes: living with MS and its "series of griefs"; belonging to a group - "meeting with a purpose"; the power of poetry; and poetry as a medium for speech pathology.Conclusion: Poetry in combination with dysarthria therapy represents a novel, interprofessional approach for improving communication confidence in individuals with MS.

Speech pathology management of non-progressive dysarthria: a systematic review of the literature.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to conduct a systematic review of interventions for the treatment of non-progressive dysarthria in adults.Materials and methods: Five electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PSYCINFO, Cochrane Collaboration) were searched for all studies that described and evaluated treatment used for non-progressive dysarthria in adults. Studies were included if (1) participants were adults (18+ years) with a confirmed diagnosis of non-progressive dysarthria, (2) participants received intervention with pre-post outcome data, and (3) the article was published between 2006 and 2017 (including early online publications). Data extracted included the number of participants; etiology; dysarthria type and severity; age; gender; presence of a control group; intervention tasks, frequency and duration; outcome measures; and conclusions. Data extraction was completed by a member of the research team independently and crosschecked by another team member.Results: Of the 6728 articles identified, 21 met the inclusion criteria. The predominant study design was a case study or case series. The methodological quality of the studies varied. Typically, the interventions included impairment-based and activity level tasks targeting conversation. Approximately half of the interventions adhered to a treatment manual.Conclusions: The evidence base to guide treatment for non-progressive dysarthria is increasing, with interventions showing promise in results, participant numbers, and positive participant feedback.Implications for rehabilitationThe evidence base to guide treatment for non-progressive dysarthria is increasing, but remains limited.The majority of evidence is of moderate methodological quality.The emergence of new research indicates that health professionals need to be continuously aware and critically appraise new literature in the area.

A new training method for velopharyngeal dysfunction: Self-inhalation for hypernasality.

OBJECTIVE: There are various methods to treat velopharyngeal dysfunction including　surgery and rehabilitation therapy. Even if a rehabilitation program is effective, the evaluation of its efficacy remains subjective. In this paper, we propose a new method of rehabilitation training for velopharyngeal dysfunction focusing on the objective peak inspiratory flow (PIF) rate. METHODS: Four patients, who were diagnosed with velopharyngeal dysfunction without cleft palate at ENT clinic of the National Hospital Organization, Tokyo Medical Center, participated in this study. All patients underwent our original rehabilitation program for velopharyngeal dysfunction, a method using the In-Check Dial, Turbohaler model. As a self-training rehabilitation program, we asked them to inhale forcefully 10 times daily at home using the In-Check Dial to increase the value of PIF rate for 3 months. We measured the patients' PIF rates with the In-Check Dial at the ENT clinic at the initial visit and after the 3-month training. RESULTS: The PIF rates of the four patients without nasal clips were higher than the rates with nasal clips at the initial visit. After the training, PIF rate without a nasal clip of all patients increased than the rate at the initial visit, which represented significant difference (P < 0.05). Also, after 3 months, PIF rate without a nasal clip was higher or equal than the rates with a nasal clip at the initial visit except one case. Naso-pharyngo-laryngeal fiberscopy did not detect salivary pooling around larynx and mirror fogging test did not show nasal escape in the three of four patients after 3 months of training. All reported improvement in dysphagia and dysarthria. CONCLUSION: This new method can be used not only to evaluate velopharyngeal function but also as an effective self-training treatment.

A Systematic Review of Rehabilitation for Corticobulbar Symptoms in Adults with Huntington's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Corticobulbar symptoms have been reported in all stages of Huntington's disease (HD); aspiration pneumonia associated with swallowing impairment has been identified as the most common cause of death. Whilst recent research has described positive effects of corticobulbar rehabilitation in other neurodegenerative conditions, it is unclear if this is similarly effective in HD. Preliminary evidence in corticospinal rehabilitation has revealed physical therapy and exercise could be beneficial for individuals with HD. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review will explore the literature relative to rehabilitation of corticobulbar symptoms in adults with HD. METHODS: Two investigators independently searched relevant electronic databases for literature related to corticobulbar rehabilitation in HD, published in English until October 2019. Included studies were critically appraised using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine Levels of Evidence, Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network checklists. Study outcomes included measurements of function, quality of life or neuromuscular physiology. RESULTS: Seventy-seven publications were screened with eight studies meeting the inclusion criteria - two randomised control trials and six intervention studies. Validated and objective outcome measures of corticobulbar symptoms were infrequently used. There was a high risk of bias identified in 7/8 studies. The data suggested positive clinical outcomes, no adverse effects and no deterioration observed across longitudinal studies. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review documented a lack of high-quality evidence to support the use of rehabilitation to treat corticobulbar symptoms in HD. However, the suggestion of potential positive effects based on available, albeit limited, studies provides justification for further research in this area.

An unusual case of bilateral anterior opercular syndrome from a neuro-rehabilitation perspective.

Bilateral anterior opercular syndrome, also known as Foix-Chavany-Marie syndrome, is relatively rare and is characterized by inability of voluntary activation of facial, lingual, pharyngeal, and masticatory muscles with preserved automatic and reflex movements such as smiling and yawning. The syndrome is caused by bilateral lesions of the anterior opercula and results in severe impairments with speech and swallowing. This article describes a patient with bilateral anterior opercular syndrome secondary to embolic strokes and how neuro-rehabilitation improved symptoms.

Psychosocial Impact of Dysarthria: The Patient-Reported Outcome as Part of the Clinical Management.

BACKGROUND: Dysarthria in neurological disorders can have psychosocial consequences. The dysarthric speaker's perspective towards the disorder's psychosocial impact is essential in its global assessment and management. For such purposes, assessment tools such as the Dysarthria Impact Profile (DIP) are indispensable. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to confirm the relevance of using the DIP to quantify the psychosocial consequences of dysarthria in neurological diseases. METHODS: We studied 120 participants, 15 healthy controls and 105 patients with different kinds of dysarthria induced by several neurological disorders (Parkinson's disease [PD], Huntington's disease, dystonia, cerebellar ataxia, progressive supranuclear palsy [PSP], multiple system atrophy, lateral amyotrophic sclerosis). All participants underwent a cognitive evaluation and a speech intelligibility assessment and completed three self-reported questionnaires: the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, the Voice Handicap Index (VHI), and the DIP. RESULTS: The psychometric properties of the DIP were confirmed, including internal consistency (α = 0.93), concurrent validity (correlation with the VHI: r = -0.77), and discriminant validity (accuracy = 0.93). Psychosocial impact of dysarthria was revealed by the DIP for all patients. Intelligibility loss was found strongly correlated with the psychosocial impact of dysarthria: for a similar level of intelligibility impairment, the DIP total score was similar regardless of the pathological group. However, our findings suggest that the psychosocial impact measured by the DIP could be partially independent from the severity of dysarthria (indirectly addressed here via speech intelligibility): the DIP was able to detect patients without any intelligibility impairment, but with a psychosocial impact. CONCLUSIONS: All patients reported a communication complaint, attested by the DIP scores, despite the fact that not all patients, notably PD, ataxic, and PSP patients, had an intelligibility deficit. The DIP should be used in clinical practice to contribute to a holistic evaluation and management of functional communication in patients with dysarthria.

The emergence of clause construction in children who use speech generating devices.

This study aimed to detect patterns in clause construction structural changes produced by four participants aged 9;5-13;7 (years;months) with motor speech disorders who used speech-generating devices. Sequences of adult-child interactions, drawn from the data of a larger study focused on enhancing vocabulary and grammar skills, were examined. This current study comprises a secondary analysis of a corpus of 29 conversations totalling 808.36 min, analysing clause structures by type, linguistic complexity, and intensity of adult prompts (number of turns). Results show that, over time, the participants' clause structure complexity increased through addition of phrase-internal elements such as inflections, articles, and prepositions. Use of specific grammatical elements followed the developmental stages observed in children with typical development. For all participants, the personal pronoun I (first-person singular) emerged before she, he (third-person singular), and we or they (plural). Participants with the highest number of adult-child co-constructed clauses also had the highest number of well-formed clauses. The intensity of adult prompts increased as clause structures became more complex and as participants needed more support. Implications for practice and theory are discussed.

Speech treatment improves dysarthria in multisystemic ataxia: a rater-blinded, controlled pilot-study in ARSACS.

We aimed to provide proof-of-principle evidence that intensive home-based speech treatment can improve dysarthria in complex multisystemic degenerative ataxias, exemplified by autosomal recessive spastic ataxia Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS). Feasibility and piloting efficacy of speech training specifically tailored to cerebellar dysarthria was examined through a 4-week program in seven patients with rater-blinded assessment of intelligibility (primary outcome) and naturalness and acoustic measures of speech (secondary outcomes) performed 4 weeks before, immediately prior to, and directly after training (intraindividual control design). Speech intelligibility and naturalness improved post treatment. This provides piloting evidence that ataxia-tailored speech treatment might be effective in degenerative cerebellar disease.

Internet delivery of intensive speech and language therapy for children with cerebral palsy: a pilot randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To test the feasibility of recruitment, retention, outcome measures and internet delivery of dysarthria therapy for young people with cerebral palsy in a randomised controlled trial. DESIGN: Mixed methods. Single blind pilot randomised controlled trial, with control offered Skype therapy at end of study. Qualitative study of the acceptability of therapy delivery via Skype. SETTING: Nine speech and language therapy departments in northern England recruited participants to the study. Skype therapy was provided in a university setting. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-two children (14 M, 8 F) with dysarthria and cerebral palsy (mean age 8.8 years (SD 3.2)) agreed to take part. Participants were randomised to dysarthria therapy via Skype (n=11) or treatment as usual (n=11). INTERVENTIONS: Children received either usual speech therapy from their local therapist for 6 weeks or dysarthria therapy via Skype from a research therapist. Usual therapy sessions varied in frequency, duration and content. Skype dysarthria therapy focused on breath control and phonation to produce clear speech at a steady rate, and comprised three 40 min sessions per week for 6 weeks. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Feasibility and acceptability of the trial design, intervention and outcome measures. RESULTS: Departments recruited two to three participants. All participants agreed to random allocation. None withdrew from the study. Recordings of children's speech were made at all time points and rated by listeners. Families allocated to Skype dysarthria therapy judged internet delivery of the therapy to be acceptable. All families reported that the study design was acceptable. Treatment integrity checks suggested that the phrases practised in one therapy exercise should be reduced in length. CONCLUSIONS: A delayed treatment design, in which dysarthria therapy is offered at the end of the study to families allocated to treatment as usual, is acceptable. A randomised controlled trial of internet delivered dysarthria therapy is feasible.

New and emerging access technologies for adults with complex communication needs and severe motor impairments: State of the science.

Individuals with complex communication needs often use alternative access technologies to control their augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices, their computers, and mobile technologies. While a range of access devices is available, many challenges continue to exist, particularly for those with severe motor-control limitations. For some, access options may not be readily available or access itself may be inaccurate and frustrating. For others, access may be available but only under optimal conditions and support. There is an urgent need to develop new options for individuals with severe motor impairments and to leverage existing technology to improve efficiency, increase accuracy, and decrease fatigue of access. This paper describes person-centred research and development activities related to new and emerging access technologies, with a particular focus on adults with acquired neurological conditions.

Long-term effects of Lee Silverman Voice Treatment on daily voice use in Parkinson's disease as measured with a portable voice accumulator.

This study examines the effects of an intensive voice treatment focusing on increasing voice intensity, LSVT LOUD® Lee Silverman Voice Treatment, on voice use in daily life in a participant with Parkinson's disease, using a portable voice accumulator, the VoxLog. A secondary aim was to compare voice use between the participant and a matched healthy control. Participants were an individual with Parkinson's disease and his healthy monozygotic twin. Voice use was registered with the VoxLog during 9 weeks for the individual with Parkinson's disease and 2 weeks for the control. This included baseline registrations for both participants, 4 weeks during LSVT LOUD for the individual with Parkinson's disease and 1 week after treatment for both participants. For the participant with Parkinson's disease, follow-up registrations at 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment were made. The individual with Parkinson's disease increased voice intensity during registrations in daily life with 4.1 dB post-treatment and 1.4 dB at 1-year follow-up compared to before treatment. When monitored during laboratory recordings an increase of 5.6 dB was seen post-treatment and 3.8 dB at 1-year follow-up. Changes in voice intensity were interpreted as a treatment effect as no significant correlations between changes in voice intensity and background noise were found for the individual with Parkinson's disease. The increase in voice intensity in a laboratory setting was comparable to findings previously reported following LSVT LOUD. The increase registered using ambulatory monitoring in daily life was lower but still reflecting a clinically relevant change.