Evidence for Effectiveness of Treatment of Loudness, Rate, or Prosody in Dysarthria: A Systematic Review
Journal of Medical Speech-Language Pathology
Yorkston, K. M., Hakel, M., et al. (2007).
Journal of Medical Speech-Language Pathology, 15(2), xi-xxxvi.
<div>This systematic review investigates the effects of dysarthria interventions on global aspects of speech in individuals with neurologic conditions such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS). The majority of studies (76%) primarily targeted individuals with PD The review is part of an Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences Practice Guideline for the management of dysarthria.</div>
Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences; American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; Department of Veterans Affairs
Inception to November 2004
<div>Intervention studies (not further specified)</div>
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<div>No conclusions can be drawn regarding treatments focused on providing clients with general instructions or feedback. The evidence is limited by the small number of studies and heterogeneity of treatment techniques and participant characteristics.</div>
<div>Research on prosodic treatments largely consists of case reports and includes a wide range of treatment techniques. Due to the limited amount of research and heterogeneity of treatment techniques and participant characteristics, few conclusions can be drawn regarding prosodic treatments for dysarthria.</div>
<div>Preliminary evidence suggests the potential benefit of rate control in dysarthria. However further research is warranted.</div>
<div>Lee Silverman Voice Treatment was reported as successful for a limited number of individuals with MS and TBI. The patients' presentations fit the symptom profile of reduced vocal loudness, vocal weakness, and vocal fatigue.</div>
<div>The strongest evidence supports treatments targeting modification of vocal loudness for individuals with PD and hypokinetic dysarthria.</div>
<div>Treatments focusing on vocal loudness have been positive and there is evidence of generalization to other aspects of speech in individuals with dysarthria.</div>
