Communication Efficiency in a Face Transplant Recipient: Determinants and Therapeutic Implications

Area of Science:

• Speech Pathology
• Transplantation Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Face transplantation is a complex procedure with potential impacts on speech production.
• Assessing speech outcomes is crucial for patient rehabilitation and quality of life.

Observation:

• A 41-year-old face transplant recipient was longitudinally assessed for speech parameters.
• Key metrics included speech intelligibility (percent words correct), communication efficiency (intelligible words per minute), temporal control markers, and lip-motion-associated formant frequencies.

Findings:

• Speech intelligibility and communication efficiency showed improvement 13 months post-transplantation compared to preoperative baseline.
• Multivariate regression analysis identified temporal markers and lip motion formant frequencies as significant predictors of communication efficiency (P < 0.05).

Implications:

• These findings underscore the complex interplay between motor control, articulatory dynamics, and speech production post-face transplant.
• Results can inform the development of tailored speech therapy and rehabilitation strategies for face transplant recipients to optimize communication outcomes.