A Systematic Review of Measures of Dysarthria Severity in Stroke Patients

The combination of accent method and phonemic contrast: an innovative strategy to improve speech production on post-stroke dysarthria

Introduction

Speech production includes segmental and suprasegmental features, which interact and cooperate with each other. Impaired speech production is common in individuals with post-stroke dysarthria. The commonly used phonemic contrast therapy and Accent Method in clinical practice can improve the segmental and suprasegmental aspects, respectively. This study aimed to explore the feasibility and immediate effectiveness of the combination of specific rhythm patterns of the Accent Method and phonemic contrast on speech production.

Methods

Fifteen poststroke dysarthria patients (12 males and three females) first received accentuation task of three rhythm patterns (Largo-slow, Andante-medium, Allegro-fast) and later received speech task in appropriate rhythm patterns combined with phonemic contrast materials and non-phonemic contrast materials. Speech parameters were analyzed by considering speech clarity and prosody.

Results

The results showed that the number of correct target syllables, sentence clarity, and standard deviation of intensity increased significantly, and the average length of pauses and abnormal pause times decreased significantly in Andante (medium) compared to other rhythms. The number of correct target syllables, sentence clarity, and standard deviation of intensity increased significantly compared with those in the non-phonemic contrast in Andante (medium).

Conclusion

The combination of phonemic contrast and Accent Method was verified to have an immediate effect on speech production in Mandarin speakers with post-stroke dysarthria and could be further validated in other diseases with impaired speech production in the clinic in the future.

Vocal tasks for acoustic and/or auditory perceptual analysis for discriminating individuals with and without voice disorders: a systematic review protocol

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective of the present systematic review is to: (1) identify the current vocal tasks being used for acoustic and/or auditory perceptual analysis to differentiate between individuals with and without voice disorders. The secondary objectives are to: (2) evaluate the evidence of the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of those vocal tasks for acoustic and/or auditory perceptual analysis in discriminating the individuals with voice disorders from those without; and (3) compare the values between the vocal tasks in discriminating individuals with voice disorders from those without.

METHOD AND ANALYSIS

We search the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, PubMed Central and Google Scholar. Grey literature searches will include ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, ClinicalTrials.gov and the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials. Websites of professional organisations and textbooks will be hand searched for relevant information related to the research question. Study screening, selection and data extraction will be conducted independently by two reviewers. Any disagreements will be resolved by discussion or by involving a third reviewer.The methodological quality of the included studies will be appraised using the relevant Critical Appraisal Tools by JBI. The clinical guidelines and recommendations for voice assessment by professional bodies will be appraised using the Reporting Items for practice Guidelines in HealThcare (RIGHT) checklist. The findings will be presented in the form of an information matrix with the tasks identified tabulated against the nature of the task, dimensions being tested, and their accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity in identifying individuals with voice problems.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Formal ethics approval is not required. The findings will be presented at national and international conferences and published in a peer-reviewed journal.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42023431634.

A Stroke of Bad Luck: An Autobiographical Case Report

Strokes are a common cause of death. Cardiovascular disease, including atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter, is a frequent cause of ischemic strokes. A 64-year-old man developed isolated dysarthria without any other neurologic manifestations as the presentation of an ischemic stroke resulting from occlusion to the middle cerebral artery and affecting the cortex supplied by the artery. He was discovered to be in atrial flutter which was determined to be the likely etiology of his stroke. He was hospitalized and anticoagulated with heparin; as an outpatient, his anticoagulation was maintained with the direct oral anticoagulant apixaban. Amiodarone was required to medically convert him to normal sinus rhythm; he has typical atrial flutter and is going to be evaluated for atrial flutter ablation. His dysarthria began to improve within 24 hours after he experienced the stroke; after five weeks of speech therapy his ability to talk continues to progressively improve and the residual deficits in his speech continue to resolve. Anticoagulation is required for stroke prevention in individuals with atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. Warfarin, a vitamin K antagonist, is usually used for individuals with valvular atrial fibrillation. Direct oral anticoagulants have fewer bleeding complications and are usually recommended for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation; they include the direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran or a factor ten a (Xa) inhibitor such as either apixaban, edoxaban, or rivaroxaban. Dysarthria is a common manifestation in stroke patients. Albeit, it is less common, isolated dysarthria without any other neurologic sequellae may be associated with stroke. Interventions encouraged by speech pathologists to enhance the resolution of post-stroke dysarthria include speaking louder to amplify the voice and exaggerating the movements of the mouth when speaking.