MedWorm: Speech-Language Pathology Top 20

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Perceptual measures of speech from individuals with Parkinson's Disease and Multiple Sclerosis: Intelligibility and beyond.

Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Scaled estimates of speech severity appear to be sensitive to aspects of speech impairment in MS and PD not captured by word or sentence intelligibility scores. One implication is that scaled estimates of speech severity might prove useful for documenting speech changes related to disease progression or even treatment for individuals with MS and PD with minimal reduction in intelligibility. PMID: 22232396 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR)

The Effect of Surface Electrical Stimulation on Swallowing in Dysphagic Parkinson Patients

Dysphagia — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:49:35 +0100

This study describes the effects of a single session of surface electrical stimulation using different electrode positions in ten patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (median Hoehn and Yahr score: II) and oropharyngeal dysphagia compared to ten age- and gender-matched healthy control subjects during videofluoroscopy of swallowing. Three different electrode positions were applied in random order per subject. For each electrode position, the electrical current was respectively turned “on” and “off” in random order. Temporal, spatial, and visuoperceptual variables were scored by experienced raters who were blinded to the group, electrode position, and status (on/off) of the electrical current. Interrater and interrater reliabilities were calculated. Only a few signific...

A Comparison of Communication Using the Apple iPad and a Picture-based System.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Flores M, Musgrove K, Renner S, Hinton V, Strozier S, Franklin S, Hil D Abstract Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) interventions have been shown to improve both communication and social skills in children and youth with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities. AAC applications have become available for personal devices such as cell phones, MP3 Players, and personal computer tablets. It is critical that these new forms of AAC are explored and evaluated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of the Apple iPad™ as a communication device by comparing its use to a communication system using picture cards. Five elementary students with autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities who used a picture card syste...

Induction of the Swallowing Reflex by Electrical Stimulation of the Posterior Oropharyngeal Region in Awake Humans

Dysphagia — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:54:22 +0100

Abstract We designed an electrical stimulation system to safely and reliably evoke the swallowing reflex in awake humans, and then examined the neural control of reflex swallowing initiated by oropharyngeal stimulation. A custom-made electrode connected to a flexible stainless-steel coil spring tube was introduced into the pharyngeal region through the nasal cavity and placed against the posterior wall of the oropharynx. Surface electrodes placed over the suprahyoid muscles recorded the electromyogram during swallowing. Swallowing reflexes were induced several times by 30 s of repetitive electrical pulse stimulation (intensity: 0.2–1.2 mA, frequency: 10–70 Hz, pulse duration: 1.0 ms). The onset latency of the swallowing reflex was measured over the ...

The effect of test presentation on children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and neurotypical peers.

Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: We found alternate form reliability, thus expanding the options for testing for school-aged populations. The use of computers had no effect on behaviors for a group of children with ASDs. The ramifications of this finding for assessment and intervention for children with ASDs are discussed. PMID: 22232425 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools)

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Validity of Conducting Clinical Dysphagia Assessments for Patients with Normal to Mild Cognitive Impairment via Telerehabilitation

Dysphagia — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:28:47 +0100

Abstract To assess the validity of conducting clinical dysphagia assessments via telerehabilitation, 40 individuals with dysphagia from various etiologies were assessed simultaneously by a face-to-face speech-language pathologist (FTF-SLP) and a telerehabilitation SLP (T-SLP) via an Internet-based videoconferencing telerehabilitation system. Dysphagia status was assessed using a Clinical Swallowing Examination (CSE) protocol, delivered via a specialized telerehabilitation videoconferencing system and involving the use of an assistant at the patient’s end of the consultation to facilitate the assessment. Levels of agreement between the FTF-SLP and T-SLP revealed that the majority of parameters reached set levels of clinically acceptable levels of agreement. Specifically, ...

Functional characterization and temporomandibular disorders before and after orthognathic surgery and myofunctional treatment of class II dentofacial deformity

Revista CEFAC — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 03:42:57 +0100

CONCLUSION: there are specific myofunctional modifications related to the stomatognathic functions and to TMD in Class II Dentofacial deformity patients. Both the surgery and the speech therapy produced myofunctional modifications, with reduction of initial complaints, as well as a decrease of TMD and correction of functional patterns. The swallowing function was the most benefited by the treatments. (Source: Revista CEFAC)

Pharyngeal Dysphagia in Inflammatory Muscle Diseases Resulting from Impaired Suprahyoid Musculature

Dysphagia — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 06:48:08 +0100

Abstract Dysphagia has previously been reported in the inflammatory myopathies (IMs): inclusion body myositis (IBM), dermatomyositis (DM), and polymyositis (PM). Patients report coughing, choking, and bolus sticking in the pharynx. Myotomy has been the treatment of choice, with variable success reported. We sought to determine underlying causes of dysphagia in IM patients using instrumental evaluation. Eighteen subjects participated in the study: four with DM, six with PM, and eight with IBM. They underwent simultaneous videofluoroscopy and manometry, yielding 214 swallows for analysis regarding function of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES), swallow initiation, hyolaryngeal excursion, and pharyngeal residue. Penetration and aspiration were also recorded. UES failed to r...

The Efficiency of Attentional Networks in Children who Stutter.

Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Current findings corroborate previously found differences in self-regulatory behavior and were taken to suggest a possible role for attentional processes in developmental stuttering. PMID: 22232392 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR)

Articulation in schoolchildren and adults with neurofibromatosis type 1.

Journal of Communication Disorders — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Cosyns M, Mortier G, Janssens S, Bogaert F, D'Hondt S, Van Borsel J Abstract Several authors mentioned the occurrence of articulation problems in the neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) population. However, few studies have undertaken a detailed analysis of the articulation skills of NF1 patients, especially in schoolchildren and adults. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine in depth the articulation skills of NF1 schoolchildren and adults, both phonetically and phonologically. Speech samples were collected from 43 Flemish NF1 patients (14 children and 29 adults), ranging in age between 7 and 53 years, using a standardized speech test in which all Flemish single speech sounds and most clusters occur in all their permissible syllable positions. Analyses concentr...

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Health promotion and speech and language therapy actions in infantile education

Revista CEFAC — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 03:42:57 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: education professionals do not have much knowledge regarding the acquisition and development of human communication and its disturbs. Education professionals know about the work performed by the Speech and Language Therapist, but they see it from a clinical and preventive perspective. The workshops enabled the discussion of the importance of developing prevention and health promotion in Speech and Language Therapy. (Source: Revista CEFAC)

Communication experience of individuals treated with home mechanical ventilation.

International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 20:45:48 +0100

Conclusions & Implications: The study revealed that healthcare practitioners involved in the care of individuals receiving HMV need to improve their understanding and knowledge of issues related to ventilator-supported communication. Individuals receiving HMV encounter a needlessly long and lonely struggle to achieve effective communication. They face numerous challenges regarding their communication, and they need to be heard in both literal and figurative senses. To overcome these challenges they need support from competent healthcare practitioners and personal assistants, and continuous follow-up by speech and language therapists tailoring communicative solutions to fit individual needs. PMID: 22026570 [PubMed - in process] (Source: International Journal of Language and Communic...

Macroglossia and Generalized Edema not Due to Hypothyroidism

Dysphagia — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:54:41 +0100

We present a 69-year-old male patient with the macroglossia, dysphagia and generalized edema. He was seen previously by other physicians and diagnosed as hypothyroidism. With thyroid stimulating hormone in normal range, tongue biopsy revealed primary systemic amyloidosis. Amyloidosis is the most common cause of macroglossia. Primary systemic amyloidosis should be suspected when laboratory does not support hypothyroidism especially if the enlarged tongue is firm and additional findings are present. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Clinical ConundrumPages 1-3DOI 10.1007/s00455-011-9372-yAuthors Yalcin Alimoglu, Otolaryngology Department, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, TurkeyFadime Sevgi Sacli, Internal Medicine Department, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty,...

Speech therapy performance ih the facial aesthetics: case report

Revista CEFAC — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 02:20:45 +0100

CONCLUSION: we suggest the importance of speech-language intervention in restoring facial and functional oral motor that influence the reduction of wrinkles, expression marks and flaccidity. (Source: Revista CEFAC)

Oropharyngeal dysphagia in children with Cornelia de Lange syndrome

Revista CEFAC — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 19:23:43 +0100

CONCLUSION: these findings indicate changes in the orofacial sensoriomotor aspects and impaired swallowing biomechanics. The important alterations in swallowing detected in these cases may correspond to typical manifestations of Cornelia de Lange syndrome. (Source: Revista CEFAC)

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Distal Esophageal Spasm

Dysphagia — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 06:58:33 +0100

Abstract Distal esophageal spasm (DES) is an uncommon esophageal motility disorder associated with dysphagia and/or chest pain. Its pathophysiology implies an impairment of esophageal inhibitory neural function. Using conventional manometry, DES was defined by the presence of simultaneous esophageal contractions. With the introduction of high-resolution manometry and esophageal pressure topography (EPT) in clinical practice, rapidly propagated contractions are nonspecific of esophageal spasm. Hence, a more physiological and clinically relevant definition was proposed. Distal latency (DL) measures the period of inhibition that precedes contraction in the distal esophagus immediately proximal to the esophagogastric junction (EGJ). Premature contractions, defined as reduced D...

Early Language and Behavioral Regulation Skills as Predictors of Social Outcomes.

Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The present findings indicate that behavioral regulation skills play an important role in predicting social outcomes among children at risk for language difficulties. Furthermore, it is suggested that various aspects of social functioning may be influenced differently by self-regulation skills, and that predictive relationships vary with the degree of language development deficits and accompanying risks. PMID: 22215033 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR)

High-Resolution Manometry of Pharyngeal Swallow Pressure Events Associated with Effortful Swallow and the Mendelsohn Maneuver

Dysphagia — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 06:58:33 +0100

Abstract Effortful swallow and the Mendelsohn maneuver are two common strategies to improve disordered swallowing. We used high-resolution manometry (HRM) to quantify the effects of these maneuvers on pressure and timing characteristics. Fourteen normal subjects swallowed multiple, 5-ml water boluses using three techniques: normal swallow, effortful swallow, and the Mendelsohn maneuver. Maximum pressure, rate, duration, area integral, and line integral were determined for the velopharynx and tongue base. Minimum pressure, duration of pressure-related change, duration of nadir pressure, maximum preopening and postclosure pressure, area integral, and line integral were recorded for the upper esophageal sphincter (UES). Area and line integrals of the velopharyngeal pressure c...

Early Radiation Effects on Tongue Function for Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Preliminary Study

Dysphagia — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:48:15 +0100

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate early radiation effects on tongue function for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and to provide a scientific database for early intervention plans. Twelve subjects with NPC and 12 age- and sex-matched normal subjects were included. Tongue maximum isometric strength and endurance at 50% of maximum strength were obtained once from normal subjects with the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) and twice from the NPC subjects: before and 2 months after radiation treatment. No significant differences were found in tongue function evaluation for normal or NPC groups in either pre- or post-treatments. However, this study showed that significant decreases in tongue function may not start until 2 months after treatm...