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Oral sensorimotor integration in adults who stutter
Torrey M Loucks1, Luc F De Nil
1University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA. tloucks@illinois.edu
Summary
Adults who stutter (AWS) exhibit less precise jaw movements. Increased tendon vibration sensitivity may correlate with better oral motor control, suggesting potential sensorimotor issues in stuttering.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Stuttering is a complex speech disorder.
- Oral motor control and sensory feedback are crucial for fluent speech.
- The role of proprioception in stuttering is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the link between masseter tendon vibration sensitivity and jaw motor control in adults who stutter (AWS).
- To compare sensorimotor performance during jaw-opening tasks between AWS and typically fluent individuals.
Main Methods:
- Jaw-opening movements to a target were assessed in 10 AWS and 10 controls.
- Masseter tendon vibration was applied during jaw opening to evaluate its effect on movement accuracy and variability.
- Correlations between vibration sensitivity and motor control parameters were analyzed.
Main Results:
- AWS demonstrated reduced accuracy and increased variability in jaw movements compared to controls.
- In normally fluent participants, greater accuracy and lower variability were linked to masseter vibration undershoot.
- No significant correlations between vibration sensitivity and motor control were found in AWS.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest that heightened tendon vibration sensitivity may be associated with enhanced oral motor control.
- Subtle sensorimotor deficits may underlie speech disruptions observed in stuttering.
- Further research into sensorimotor integration in stuttering is warranted.
