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Dysarthria assessment in multiple sclerosis patients.
Davide Ranucci1, Fabrizia Falco1, Valerio Nicolella1
1Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Multiple Sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)
|December 20, 2025
Summary
Detailed speech analysis in multiple sclerosis (MS) reveals significant correlations between speech features and physical/cognitive disability. This approach may offer a novel method for assessing MS progression and patient status.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Speech Pathology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Speech patterns in multiple sclerosis (MS) are not well understood.
- The Dysarthria Analyzer (DA) software enables detailed speech analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore speech features in patients diagnosed with MS.
- To investigate correlations between identified speech features and clinic-demographic characteristics.
Main Methods:
- 72 MS patients underwent clinical assessments (EDSS, BICAMS) and speech evaluation using DA.
- DA extracted 23 age-, gender-, and education-adjusted speech features from 6 vocal tasks.
- Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified key speech components, followed by correlation analysis with clinical data.
Main Results:
- PCA identified 7 speech components: Voice Intensity, Voice Intensity Variation, Motor Coordination, Speech Diadochokinesis, Speech Speed, Voice Strength, and Speech Latency.
- Higher Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores correlated with poorer Voice Intensity Variation, Speech Speed, and Speech Latency.
- Progressive MS was linked to worse Voice Intensity Variation, and cognitive decline correlated with slower Speech Speed.
Conclusions:
- Detailed speech analysis provides valuable clinical insights into physical and cognitive impairments in MS.
- Speech analysis may serve as an additional, non-invasive tool for assessing disability in multiple sclerosis patients.
