Speech-Language Pathology/Parkinson's
From Wikibooks, the open-content textbooks collection
A survey of Parkinson's patients found that[1]
- 27% reported "difficulty getting started."
- 9% reported "stuttering."
- 9% reported "fast speech."
- 9% reported "impaired stress of rhythm of speech."
The speech disorder associated with Parkinson's disease is also characterized by low volume and poor articulation. The combination sounds like mumbling. The standard treatment for Parkinson's speech is Lee Silverman Voice Therapy. LSVT focuses on increasing vocal volume, largely through consciously increasing airflow and vocal fold activity. A secondary benefit is improved articulation or vocal clarity.
A study investigated using frequency-shifted auditory feedback (FAF, also called FSF) anti-stuttering devices set to a higher pitch (upshifting) with Parkinson's patients. This appeared to induce vocal fold tension. The result was an improvement in clarity, without training or speech therapy.[2]
However, FAF does not improve volume. Volume could be improved by doing LSVT or by using a voice amplifier (such as the ChatterVox).
The Lowit study did not find that delayed auditory feedback (DAF) improved Parkinson's speech. However, other studies found varying results of DAF with Parkinson's patients.[3] Speculatively, the DAF effect (if any) might result from forcing speakers out of open-loop speech motor control (automatic speech) and into closed-loop speech motor control (consciously controlled speech). Because most people need training to use closed-loop speech motor control, it may be worth investigating whether using DAF with training improves Parkinson's speech.
References
- ^ Blanchet, Paul. "Treating Fluency and Speech Rate Disorders in Individuals with Parkinson's Disease: The Use of Delayed Auditory Feedback (DAF)," Journal of Stuttering Therapy, Advocacy and Research, Volume 1, Number 2.
- ^ Lowit, A., Brendel, B. "The response of patients with Parkinson's Disease to DAF and FSF," Stammering Research April 2004.
- ^ Blanchet, Paul. "Treating Fluency and Speech Rate Disorders in Individuals with Parkinson's Disease: The Use of Delayed Auditory Feedback (DAF)," Journal of Stuttering Therapy, Advocacy and Research, Volume 1, Number 2.
