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. 2017;4(1):1388208.
doi: 10.1080/2331205X.2017.1388208. Epub 2017 Oct 5.

Evaluation, treatment, and analysis of a rare case of motor speech systems dyscoordination syndrome

Diana Van Lancker Sidtis  1   2 , John J Sidtis  2   3
Affiliations

Evaluation, treatment, and analysis of a rare case of motor speech systems dyscoordination syndrome

Diana Van Lancker Sidtis et al. Cogent Med. 2017.

Abstract

This report describes an unusual presentation of a voice disorder arising from inability to coordinate the three components of motor speech: respiration, phonation, and articulation. These systems were individually intact, as demonstrated by laryngoscopy, motor speech examination, and treatment methods achieving success under controlled conditions. Following initial programming of his deep brain stimulation (DBS) device, a 62-year-old male, diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD) 14 years previously, abruptly experienced a vocal disorder characterized by pressed, very low frequency creaky voice produced on held breath. Evaluation and therapy sessions revealed intact respiration, phonation, and articulation as component systems of motor speech, while indicating a severe deficit in coordinating these systems for articulated speech. Performance varied with mode of vocal production. Vowel prolongation and singing were normal in contrast to severe impairment when respiration and phonation were integrated with articulated speech. A listening study utilizing speech samples from five spoken modes-conversation, repetition, formulaic expressions, continuously phonated material and singing, yielded higher intelligibility on sung and continuously phonated phrases, confirming clinical impressions. Acoustic measures of fundamental frequency, vowel quality (harmonic-to-noise ratios) and duration supported the intelligibility results. Repetition and conversation were similarly impaired, suggesting that the disability was not attributable to the basal ganglia. This case reveals the role of higher order management of respiration, articulation, and voice for speech and describes a successful treatment utilizing breath control.

Keywords: Parkinson’s disease; deep brain stimulation; speech systems apraxia; voice disorder.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations of interest: The authors have no financial interest in this study. The authors report no declarations of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Intelligibility results by tasks
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Difficult rating results by tasks
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
F0 measures by tasks, including prolonged vowels
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
HNR measures by tasks, including prolonged vowels
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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