Open AccessHome‐based biofeedback speech treatment improves dysarthria in repeat‐expansion SCAs
Author(s) -
Vogel Adam P.,
Graf Lisa H.,
Magee Michelle,
Schöls Ludger,
Rommel Natalie,
Synofzik Matthis
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
annals of clinical and translational neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.824
H-Index - 42
ISSN - 2328-9503
DOI - 10.1002/acn3.51613
Subject(s) - dysarthria , medicine , biofeedback , audiology , spinocerebellar ataxia , ataxia , physical therapy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , intelligibility (philosophy) , psychiatry , philosophy , epistemology
Abstract CAG repeat‐expansion spinocerebellar ataxias (CAG‐SCAs) are genetically defined multisystemic degenerative diseases, resulting in motor symptoms including dysarthria with a substantial impact on daily living. Whilst speech therapy is widely recommended in ataxia, very limited evidence exists for its use. We evaluated the efficacy of a home‐delivered, ataxia‐tailored biofeedback‐driven speech therapy in CAG‐SCA in 16 individuals with SCA1, 2, 3, or 6. Treatment was delivered intensively over 20 days. Efficacy was evaluated by blinded ratings of intelligibility (primary) and acoustic measures (secondary) leveraging an intra‐individual control design. Intelligibility improved post‐treatment (Z = −3.18, p = 0.004) whilst remaining stable prior to treatment (Z = 0.53, p = 1.00).