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Cognitive-linguistic deficit and speech intelligibility in chronic progressive multiple sclerosis
Catherine Mackenzie1, Jan Green
1Department of Educational and Professional Studies, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.
International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders
|March 19, 2009
Summary
This study found a strong link between speech intelligibility issues (dysarthria) and cognitive-linguistic deficits in multiple sclerosis patients. These deficits impact language, memory, and daily functioning.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease causing diverse symptoms, including dysarthria and cognitive-linguistic impairments.
- The relationship between dysarthria and cognitive-linguistic deficits in MS has been under-explored in clinical research.
- This study addresses the gap by investigating these associations in patients with chronic progressive MS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the presence and nature of cognitive-linguistic deficits in patients with chronic progressive MS.
- To examine the association between cognitive-linguistic abilities and speech intelligibility.
- To explore the relationship of these factors with functional disability and disease duration.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Arizona Battery for Communication Disorders of Dementia (ABCD) and the Assessment of Intelligibility of Dysarthric Speech (AIDS).
- Assessed functional disability using the Modified Barthel Activities of Daily Living Index (MBADLI).
- Compared 24 chronic progressive MS patients with dysarthria to 24 matched healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a strong association between speech intelligibility (AIDS) and cognitive-linguistic deficits (ABCD) in MS patients (beta = 0.89, p = 0.005).
- Found a significant association between speech intelligibility (AIDS) and functional disability (MBADLI) (beta = 0.60, p = 0.001).
- Observed significant performance differences between MS patients and controls across all ABCD measures, indicating global cognitive-linguistic deficits.
Conclusions:
- Confirmed a strong link between dysarthria and significant cognitive-linguistic deficits in chronic progressive MS.
- Cognitive-linguistic deterioration in MS is global, affecting language, memory, and comprehension, not specific constructs.
- Speech and language therapists should monitor cognitive-linguistic impairments in dysarthric MS patients to inform assessment and management.
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