Evaluating Effectiveness of Articulation Practice with Tongue-twister Movement Distance Using Ultrasound

Area of Science:

• Speech-language pathology
• Biomechanics of speech
• Neurolinguistics

Background:

• Impaired oral function affects articulation, necessitating evaluation of tongue movement during training.
• Previous research suggests non-invasive speech exercises can improve motor speech disorders, like post-glossectomy glide issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of tongue twister training on oral function in healthy Japanese-speaking women.
• To assess changes in articulatory speed and tongue movement dynamics using specific phonetic tasks.

Main Methods:

• Participants engaged in tongue twister exercises (5 times/week for 1 month) using /ta/ and /ka/ sounds.
• Oral diadochokinesis (ODK) measured repetition speed and regularity.
• Ultrasound imaging assessed vertical tongue motion during pronunciation.

Main Results:

• Significant increase in /ta/ and /ka/ repetition speed after 1 month.
• Sustained increase in /ta/ repetition frequency at 7 months; /ka/ frequency plateaued.
• Significant decrease in vertical tongue movement distance for both syllables at 1 and 7 months.

Conclusions:

• Regular tongue twister training enhances oral function and articulatory precision in young women.
• The training demonstrates sustained benefits, offering a simple, accessible method for improving and maintaining oral motor skills.