Assessment of oral peripheral structure and function in normal aging individuals with the Frenchay

This research was designed to investigate the integrity of oral motor structure and function in normal aging individuals using the Frenchay Dysarthria Assessment (FDA). Subjects were 5 females and 5 males in each of 4 age categories (50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and 80-89). Two individuals, trained in the use of the FDA, administered this procedure to the 40 subjects. Test-retest reliability measures (done one week apart) for eight of the subjects revealed no change from time 1 to time 2. Minimal reduced functioning for some FDA tasks, particularly the Laryngeal Subtest and the Tongue Subtest, were noted with increasing age.