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Speech treatment for Parkinson's disease
Lorraine O Ramig1, Cynthia Fox, Shimon Sapir
1Department of Speech, Language, Hearing Sciences, University of Colorado, Campus Box 409, Boulder, CO 80309, USA. ramig@spot.colorado.edu
Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics
|February 15, 2008
Summary
Parkinson's disease (PD) often causes speech and voice disorders in 89% of patients, yet only 3-4% receive treatment. This review covers PD speech disorder characteristics, treatments, and future research directions.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Speech-Language Pathology
Background:
- Parkinson's disease (PD) significantly impacts speech and voice function in most affected individuals.
- High prevalence of speech and voice disorders in PD contrasts sharply with low rates of speech treatment utilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on speech and voice disorder characteristics in Parkinson's disease.
- To examine available treatment techniques, emphasizing behavioral therapies.
- To summarize the current state of speech treatment in PD and offer recommendations.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of speech and voice disorders in Parkinson's disease.
- Analysis of medical, surgical, and behavioral treatment modalities.
- Synthesis of current research and future research directions.
Main Results:
- 89% of individuals with Parkinson's disease experience speech and voice disorders affecting laryngeal, respiratory, and articulatory functions.
- Speech treatment is received by only 3-4% of people with PD, indicating a significant gap in care.
- Behavioral therapies are a key focus among available treatment options.
Conclusions:
- There is a critical need to increase access to and implementation of speech therapies for individuals with Parkinson's disease.
- Further research is essential to advance the efficacy and understanding of speech interventions in PD.
- The field of speech treatment for PD is expected to evolve significantly in the next five years.
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