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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

A Protocol for Comprehensive Assessment of Bulbar Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Published on: February 21, 2011
[Assessment of dysarthria and dysphagia in ALS patients]
D Robert1, A Bianco-Blache, C Spezza
1Fédération ORL, CHU La Timone, 264, rue Saint-Pierre, 13385 Marseille Cedex 5.
Abstract:
Swallowing and speech disorders are the dramatic consequences of bulbar and pseudo-bulbar syndrome in ALS. Evaluation is necessary to guide speech therapy and to measure the effects of treatment. This article revues the different examinations used to assess bulbar and pseudobulbar involvement in an ALS patient: oromotor assessment, evaluation of the functions with self assessment, perceptive and objective evaluation of speech disorders, fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of dysphagia (FEES) and videofluoroscopy.
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