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Measuring and Training Speech-Language Pathologists' Orofacial Cueing: A Pilot Demonstration.
Aravind Kumar Namasivayam1,2, Rohan Bali1, Roslyn Ward3,4
1Oral Dynamics Lab, Department of Speech-Language Pathology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Journal of Healthcare Engineering
|January 29, 2019
Summary
Objective speech metrics can assess speech-language pathologists' skill in providing tactile-kinesthetic-proprioceptive (TKP) cues for speech motor control. Advanced S-LPs demonstrated greater accuracy and consistency in TKP delivery compared to novices.
Area of Science:
- Speech-language pathology
- Motor control research
- Biomechanical analysis
Background:
- Tactile-kinesthetic-proprioceptive (TKP) input is vital for speech motor control interventions.
- Objective metrics are needed to ensure fidelity in TKP cue delivery by speech-language pathologists (S-LPs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate kinematic measures for assessing skill differences among S-LPs providing TKP cues.
- To compare the accuracy and consistency of TKP inputs from S-LPs with varying experience levels.
Main Methods:
- Three S-LPs (novice, advanced) provided TKP cues for the vowel /a/ to a model participant.
- Kinematic measures, including confidence intervals for jaw movement amplitude, Generalised Orthogonal Procrustes Analysis (GPA), and cyclic Spatial Temporal Index (cSTI), were employed.
- Accuracy was assessed by comparing S-LP induced passive jaw movements to the model's active movements.
Main Results:
- Advanced S-LPs (S-LP 2 and S-LP 3) induced passive jaw excursions statistically similar to the model participant's active movements.
- Movement consistency, measured by cSTI, improved with experience (S-LP 1: 19.28, S-LP 2: 12.14, S-LP 3: 9.33).
- GPA analysis showed lower root-mean-square (RMS) error for more experienced S-LPs (S-LP 1: 0.22, S-LP 2: 0.03, S-LP 3: 0.11).
Conclusions:
- Kinematic measures adapted from motor control literature are effective for evaluating S-LP proficiency in delivering TKP cues.
- Objective assessment of TKP delivery can enhance treatment fidelity in speech motor interventions.