Feasibility and efficacy of video-call speech therapy in patients with Parkinson's disease: A preliminary study

Speech therapy is highly effective for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) who have speech difficulties; however, its accessibility is limited. Online video-call speech therapy has been explored as an alternative option for PD patients.

To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of video-call speech therapy for PD patients.

This prospective, comparative study was conducted between July and September 2022. PD patients with speech difficulties were divided into two groups, online speech therapy via video call and in-person therapy at hospital, based on their willingness to visit the hospital frequently. The patients underwent 12 sessions of speech therapy, focusing on respiration and phonation. Acoustic assessments, auditory-perceptual assessment, and voice handicap index (K-VHI10) were evaluated at baseline, post-therapy, and follow-up.

Eleven patients were enrolled in the study, though one patient from the online group withdrew. Ten patients completed the therapy (five in each group) without missing a session. The baseline acoustic measurements did not differ between the two groups. After therapy, both group showed an increase in voice intensity and improvement in overall loudness. The post-therapy change from baseline in the acoustic measurements was not significantly different between the two groups. The effect of therapy were maintained in the follow-up evaluation in both groups. The K-VHI10 decreased significantly from baseline to post-therapy and further at follow-up in both groups, with no significant difference between two groups.

The online speech therapy via video call is feasible in PD patients with speech difficulties and as effective as in-person therapy.