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Speech fluency variation in elderly.
Claudia Regina Furquim de Andrade1, Vanessa de Oliveira Martins
1Departamento de Fisioterapia, Fonoaudiologia e Terapia Ocupacional, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil. clauan@usp.br
Pro-Fono : Revista De Atualizacao Cientifica
|March 27, 2010
Summary
Aging significantly impacts speech fluency, particularly after age 80. This study analyzed speech disruptions and rate in older adults, finding notable changes in those over 80.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Linguistics
Background:
- Age-related speech changes are documented, but fluency alterations are understudied.
- Understanding normative aging effects on speech is crucial for distinguishing typical changes from disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively assess the fluency profile in elderly individuals.
- To investigate age-specific variations in speech fluency parameters.
Main Methods:
- 128 participants aged over 60 provided speech samples.
- Analysis included speech disruption types, speech rate, and disruption frequency per 200 fluent syllables.
- Participants were grouped by decade of life, with those over 80 forming a distinct cohort.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in syllables per minute were found across age decades.
- Individuals over 80 exhibited a statistically significant increase in speech disruptions.
- A decrease in speech rate was also observed in the over-80 group.
Conclusions:
- The impact of aging on speech fluency parameters becomes more pronounced after 80 years.
- Specific fluency metrics show significant age-related shifts, particularly in advanced age.
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