S Knuijt, J Nonnekes, B P C van de Warrenburg, M Nijkamp, S Scholten, B J M de Swart, J G Kalf
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Dysarthria is disabling in persons with degenerative ataxia. There is limited evidence for speech therapy interventions. In this pilot study, we used the Voice trainer app, which was originally developed for patients with Parkinson's disease, as a feedback tool for vocal control. We hypothesized that patients with ataxic dysarthria would benefit from the Voice trainer app to better control their loudness and pitch, resulting in a lower speaking rate and better intelligibility. This intervention study consisted of five therapy sessions of 30 min within 3 weeks using the principles of the Pitch Limiting Voice Treatment. Patients received real-time visual feedback on loudness and pitch during the exercises. Besides, they were encouraged to practice at home or to use the Voice trainer in daily life. We used observer-rated and patient-rated outcome measures. The primary outcome measure was intelligibility, as measured by the Dutch sentence intelligibility test. Twenty-one out of 25 included patients with degenerative ataxia completed the therapy. We found no statistically significant improvements in intelligibility (p = .56). However, after the intervention, patients were speaking slower (p = .03) and the pause durations were longer (p < .001). The patients were satisfied about using the app. At the group level, we found no evidence for an effect of the Voice trainer app on intelligibility in degenerative ataxia. Because of the heterogeneity of ataxic dysarthria, a more tailor-made rather than generic intervention seems warranted.
期刊介绍:
Official publication of the Society for Research on the Cerebellum devoted to genetics of cerebellar ataxias, role of cerebellum in motor control and cognitive function, and amid an ageing population, diseases associated with cerebellar dysfunction.
The Cerebellum is a central source for the latest developments in fundamental neurosciences including molecular and cellular biology; behavioural neurosciences and neurochemistry; genetics; fundamental and clinical neurophysiology; neurology and neuropathology; cognition and neuroimaging.
The Cerebellum benefits neuroscientists in molecular and cellular biology; neurophysiologists; researchers in neurotransmission; neurologists; radiologists; paediatricians; neuropsychologists; students of neurology and psychiatry and others.