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 14 July, 2024
    Communication is essential for both daily living and achieving a successful, fulfilling life. Speech and language skills are governed by...
    • Posted on 2 July, 2024
      This video features an interview hosted by Global Health Youth Connect with Professor Adam Vogel called Interview with Experts.The conversation...
      • Posted on 21 June, 2024
        In this study, Thayabaran Kathiresan, Redenlab’s Director of Audio Engineering, co-authors "Cortical-striatal brain network distinguishes deepfake from real speaker identity”....