Objective: To examine the effects of a modified intensive speech therapy program on perceptual and objective acoustic measures in Hebrew-speaking individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Background: Hypokinetic dysarthria is a common symptom of PD, affecting communication and participation. Intensive speech therapies aim to improve voice and speech through structured exercises, supporting functional communication. As being relatively new, SPEAK OUT!® therapy has shown positive effects on speech [1], but its efficacy requires further evaluation.

Method: This study evaluated 271 individuals with PD (191 male, 80 female) who participated in an interdisciplinary rehabilitation program. During the program, participants underwent an 8-week modified SPEAK OUT!® therapy program intervention consisting of three weekly sessions (one individual, two group sessions). Acoustic recordings were obtained pre- and post-therapy during sustained phonation of the vowel /a/, text reading, diadochokinetic repetition (/ka/), and spontaneous monologue. Objective measures of phonatory stability, respiratory control, intensity, and speech timing were extracted using the “Dysarthria Analyzer” [2] and compared across sessions. Experienced speech pathologists provided perceptual ratings of general intelligibility, using the Hebrew translation of the Frenchay Dysarthria Assessment scale. Demographic and clinical variables, including age, disease duration, Effects or medication intake time, and aerodynamic measures, were also collected.

Results: Largest treatment effects were observed during text reading, with increased pitch variability (p<.001) and loudness variability (p<.001) and reduced pause duration (p<.001). Sustained phonation showed small but significant increase in maximum phonation time (p =.005), reductions in pitch variability (p=.024), and measures related to vocal tremor. Spontaneous monologue exhibited minimal reduction in DPI, indicating limited generalization. Diadochokinetic measures were unchanged. Perceptual rating is being processed.

Conclusion: Following therapy, participants demonstrated improved pitch variation and voice stability, particularly in structured speech, with minimal impact on spontaneous speech. Rapid articulation rate and stability were unaffected. These results suggest the intervention primarily enhances loudness, pitch modulation, and breath support rather than articulation.

References: [1] Watts, C. R. (2016). A retrospective study of long-term treatment outcomes for reduced vocal intensity in hypokinetic dysarthria. BMC Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders, 16(1), 2.
[2] Hlavnička, J. (2023, May 20). Version (3.1). The Dysarthria Analyzer. Retrieved July 16, 2023, from www.dysan.cz.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/speech-and-voice-changes-after-intensive-therapy-in-parkinsons-disease/