Speech treatment improves dysarthria in multisystemic ataxia: a rater-blinded, controlled pilot-study in ARSACS

Redenlab partnered with investigators in Australia and Germany to conduct dysarthria treatment trial in ataxia published in Journal of Neurology

Abstract: We aimed to provide proof-of-principle evidence that intensive home-based speech treatment can improve dysarthria in complex multisystemic degenerative ataxias, exemplified by autosomal recessive spastic ataxia Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS). Feasibility and piloting efficacy of speech training specifically tailored to cerebellar dysarthria was examined through a 4-week program in seven patients with rater-blinded assessment of intelligibility (primary outcome) and naturalness and acoustic measures of speech (secondary outcomes) performed 4 weeks before, immediately prior to, and directly after training (intraindividual control design). Speech intelligibility and naturalness improved post treatment. This provides piloting evidence that ataxia-tailored speech treatment might be effective in degenerative cerebellar disease.

See here for study details

Related Post

  • Posted on 18 February, 2025
    Batten disease, or neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL), is a devastating childhood dementia that causes progressive loss of speech, language, and...
    • Posted on 18 February, 2025
      Redenlab is dedicated to advancing research in the field of speech, language, and cognitive disorders, particularly in the context of...
      • Posted on 28 January, 2025
        Researchers at University of Texas at Austin have developed a behavioral therapy designed to improve communication in individuals with primary...