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Variations in self-paced behaviors in stutterers and nonstutterers
C J Brown1, G N Zimmermann, R N Linville
1University of Iowa, Iowa City.
Journal of Speech and Hearing Research
|June 1, 1990
Summary
Stuttering individuals exhibit slower and less variable motor control during rhythmic tasks compared to non-stutterers. This suggests that stuttering may stem from less flexible motor systems, potentially leading to breakdowns in speech production.
Area of Science:
- Speech-language pathology
- Neuroscience
- Motor control
Background:
- Stuttering is a complex speech disorder affecting fluency.
- Motor system flexibility is crucial for speech production.
- Understanding motor differences in stuttering can inform treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate motor control differences between stuttering and non-stuttering individuals.
- To examine performance in self-paced rhythmic tasks and speech tasks.
Main Methods:
- Ten people who stutter and ten people who do not stutter performed self-paced rhythmic tasks (finger, jaw) and repeated "ah."
- Tasks were performed at comfortable, slightly higher, and slightly lower rates within a comfortable range.
Main Results:
- Stuttering individuals performed all tasks more slowly than non-stuttering individuals.
- Stuttering individuals demonstrated less variability in their performance compared to non-stuttering individuals.
Conclusions:
- Slower rates and reduced variability in stutterers suggest less flexible motor systems.
- This motor inflexibility may increase susceptibility to speech breakdowns characteristic of stuttering.