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Association Between Acoustic Speech Measures and Disability in Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and
Jonathan Delgado Hernández1, Moisés Betancort Montesinos1, Tatiana Romero Arias2
1Universidad de La Laguna, Spain.
Journal of Voice : Official Journal of the Voice Foundation
|February 28, 2026
Summary
Acoustic speech measures, particularly those assessing speech timing and articulation, correlate with physical disability in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, measures of lung capacity and voice quality do not significantly track disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease affecting the central nervous system.
- Disability progression in MS can impact various functions, including speech production.
- Objective acoustic speech measures offer a potential tool for assessing neurological impairment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze the relationship between Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores and acoustic speech measures in individuals with MS.
- To identify which acoustic speech parameters are most sensitive to physical disability in MS.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was performed across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases.
- Studies correlating objective acoustic speech measures with EDSS scores in MS patients were included.
- Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted for frequently reported outcomes; others were narratively synthesized.
Main Results:
- Twelve studies involving 900 participants were analyzed.
- Reading-based acoustic measures, such as Articulation Rate and Formant Centralization Ratio, showed moderate correlations with EDSS.
- Jitter, a measure of vocal fold instability, also correlated positively with disability (r=0.28).
- Maximum phonation time and general voice quality measures did not show significant correlations with disease progression.
Conclusions:
- Acoustic markers of speech timing and articulatory precision are moderately associated with physical disability in MS.
- Aerodynamic capacity and overall voice quality appear less affected by MS progression.
- Clinical assessments in MS should integrate speech tasks focusing on articulation and timing, alongside measures of phonatory instability, while acknowledging limitations of aerodynamic measures like MPT for tracking disease progression.
