Speech-Breathing Treatment and LSVT for a Patient With Hypokinetic-Spastic Dysarthria After TBI

Previously, we reported improved speech breathing and intelligibility after behavioral treatment for a man with hypokinetic-spastic dysarthria following traumatic brain injury (TBI) (Solomon, McKee, & Garcia-Barry, 2001). Treatment included the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment^® (LSVT) program followed by 6 weeks of speech-breathing training, physical therapy, and LSVT-type tasks. In this article, we report a new patient with similar speech characteristics post-TBI. Breathing-for-Speech Treatment (BST), custom designed to improve nonspeech- and speech-breathing coordination, was followed by LSVT. After BST, speech breathing approached normal levels; after LSVT, speech breathing improved further and intelligibility improved markedly. Gains generally were maintained up to 4 months, but were limited by the spastic characteristics of his dysarthria and sporadic medical complications.