Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 20, 2026
12:43
A Protocol for Comprehensive Assessment of Bulbar Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ALS
Published on: February 21, 2011
36.1K
Predicting Intelligibility Gains in Individuals With Dysarthria From Baseline Speech Features
Annalise R Fletcher1,2, Megan J McAuliffe1,2, Kaitlin L Lansford3
1Department of Communication Disorders, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research : JSLHR
|October 28, 2017
Summary
Baseline speech feature measurements can predict how well individuals with dysarthria respond to speech therapy. This helps tailor treatments for better speech intelligibility outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Neurology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Behavioral speech modifications yield inconsistent intelligibility improvements in dysarthria.
- Predicting treatment response is crucial for effective intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if baseline speech measurements predict response to loud and slow speech modifications.
- To identify which speech features correlate with intelligibility gains.
Main Methods:
- Fifty speakers (43 with dysarthria) read passages in habitual, loud, and slow modes.
- Acoustic and perceptual measures of baseline speech (articulation, prosody, voice, severity) were collected.
- Listener ratings assessed speech intelligibility.
Main Results:
- Loud and slow cues did not benefit all speakers.
- Baseline articulation rate and dysarthria severity predicted intelligibility gains with loud speech.
- Baseline severity and temporal variability predicted gains with slow speech.
- Breathier voice quality favored loud over slow conditions.
Conclusions:
- Baseline speech assessments can guide the selection of speech modification strategies for dysarthria.
- Individualized treatment programs can be developed based on these predictive features.
