The existence of phonatory instability in multiple sclerosis: an acoustic and electroglottographic study

Prevalence of dysarthria in the multiple sclerosis population: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Dysarthria is a common type of motor speech disorder seen in people with MS (PwMS), with studies reporting a prevalence ranging from 40 % to 51 %. There is inconsistent evidence regarding its specific prevalence and its potential association with disability progression and disease duration.

METHODS

This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to estimate the prevalence of dysarthria in PwMS and to explore potential associations between dysarthria and demographic and disease-specific factors. Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, a detailed search of the MEDLINE PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases was conducted.

RESULTS

A total of 14 studies involving 1833 MS patients were included, revealing a pooled prevalence of dysarthria in MS of 44.9 % (95 % CI [31.9,58.2], I2=96.2 %, p < 0.00). The aggregated risk ratio of speech disorders in MS patients versus healthy controls was 8.09 (95 %CI [2.40, 27.26], pz=0.0007, I2=53 %, p = 0.05. However, meta-regression sensitivity analysis showed no statistically significant associations between speech disorders and age, or disability level but there was evidence of an anti proportional linear relationship between the prevalence of speech disorders and disease duration (p = 0.1) CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis found a 44.9 % prevalence of dysarthria in the MS population; however, no relationship could be established between dysarthria and demographic and disease-specific characteristics. Considering the impact of dysarthria in the quality of life in PwMS, as well as the diagnostic limitations currently existing in clinical practice, this study highlights the necessity for future studies to, systematically and accurately, record dysarthria symptomatology and aetiology in PwMS.

Language and Cognitive Impairments in Multiple Sclerosis: a Comparative Study of RRMS and SPMS Patients

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies have reported that patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) face cognitive difficulties. Much less, however, is known about their language abilities. The present study aims to provide a clear view of the language abilities of adults with MS, considering their cognitive skills and the type of the disorder.

METHOD

Specifically, 20 patients with Relapsing-Remitting MS, 17 patients with Secondary Progressive MS, and two healthy control groups demographically matched with the clinical groups, took part in the study. Their language abilities were examined using the Adult Language Abilities Test, which explores morpho-syntactic and semantic phenomena of the Greek language in both comprehension and production modes.

RESULTS

Our results did not reveal statistically significant differences between the two clinical groups on any cognitive or language subtest. Both groups, however, performed poorer than the control groups in producing the correct form of verbs, possessive and weak personal pronouns, and in comprehending relative and passive clauses. Participants' performance in morphosyntax was found to be related to their processing speed.

CONCLUSION

Mapping the cognitive and language abilities of patients with MS is crucial for designing effective targeted interventions, which can help them adopt strategies to manage their specific cognitive and language symptoms.

Delivering the Lee Silverman voice treatment-loud method in-site versus telerehabilitation in people with multiple sclerosis: Feasibility evidence of a non-inferiority pilot randomized controlled trial

Objective

Telerehabilitation may overcome accessibility barriers related to the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT)-Loud for dysphonia rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis (MS). The present study provides the feasibility evidence on patient-relevant structural and procedure effects of a pilot randomized controlled trial comparing LSVT-Loud telerehabilitation (Tele-LSVT-Loud) versus standard delivery.

Methods

Twenty-one people with MS (six males) with dysphonia were 1:1 randomly allocated to 4 weeks of LSVT-Loud in-site or Tele-LSVT-Loud at home accessing a telemedicine platform. The feasibility of Tele-LSVT-Loud compared to LSVT-Loud was evaluated considering adherence rate, safety (adverse events), technology interaction (User Experience Questionnaire), intrinsic motivation to the treatment (Intrinsic Motivation Inventory), and perceived rehabilitation experience (individual qualitative interviews) during and after the intervention program.

Results

Thirty-one percent of eligible subjects were unavailable to follow in-site treatment. Drops-outs were higher in the LSVT-Loud than Tele-LSVT-Loud group (4 versus 1). Also, the adherence rate of synchronous sessions was 68.75% in the LSVT-Loud compared to 87.5% in the Tele-LSVT-Loud group, related to greater difficulty in integrating the treatment into a daily routine, as mentioned in the qualitative interview. No relevant adverse events were observed in both groups. The user experience with technology in the Tele-LSVT-Loud group was positive. The interviews revealed a positive therapeutic alliance, regardless of the delivery path. Interestingly, only people in the Tele-LSVT-Loud group judged equivalent the therapist-user relationship in in-site and telerehabilitation settings.

Conclusions

Telerehabilitation promotes the feasibility of LSVT-Loud. The modality of delivery is a relevant factor in determining eligibility and adherence to a voice rehabilitation program in MS.

Exploring Biomechanical Correlates in Voice Analysis of Multiple Sclerosis Patients

INTRODUCTION

The predominant alterations in voice of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are phonatory instability, vocal asthenia and roughness, shortness of breath, hypophonia, and hypernasality. However, research on alterations of acoustic parameters has few studies and disparate results. The objective of this study was to investigate voice disturbances in patients with MS, both with objective measures (analysis of biomechanical) and subjective measures (scales and questionnaires).

METHODS

This is an experimental study with a total of 20 participants with MS. Voice samples were collected, and biomechanical correlates were analyzed through the Clinical Voice Systems program, Online Lab App. The VHI-30 (Voice Handicap Index) questionnaire, the GRBAS (grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, strain) scale, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used as subjective measures.

RESULTS

Ninety-five percentages of participants feel and describe dysphonic difficulties. Self-perception of vocal disability correlated with auditory vocal perceptual analysis in the sample of women.

CONCLUSION

The biomechanical parameters showed alterations in the strength of the glottic closure, the efficiency index, and the structural imbalance index.

Acoustic and Physiological Voice Assessment And Maximum Phonation Time In Patients With Different Types Of Dysarthria

OBJECTIVE

To compare the maximum phonation time of /a/, acoustic glottal source parameters, and physiological measures in patients with dysarthria.

METHOD

Thirteen patients were classified according to dysarthria type and divided into functional profiles (hypofunctional, hyperfunctional, and mixed). Assessments of maximum phonation time of /a/, glottal source parameters, electroglottography, and nasometry were performed. Results were compared between groups using ANOVA and Tukey posthoc tests.

RESULTS

The highest fundamental frequency differed significantly between groups, with the hyperfunctional profile showing higher values than the other participant groups. Reductions in the maximum phonation time of /a/ and alterations in acoustic glottal source parameters and electroglottography measures were observed in all groups, with no significant differences between them. The remaining measures did not differ between groups.

CONCLUSION

The maximum phonation times for /a/ were reduced in all participant groups, suggesting air escape during phonation. The presence of alterations in several glottal source parameters in all participant groups is indicative of noise, tremor, and vocal instability. Lastly, the high fundamental frequency in patients with a hyperfunctional profile reinforces the presence of vocal instability. These findings suggest that, although the characteristics observed in the assessments were consistent with expectations of patients with dysarthria, it is difficult to perform a differential diagnosis of this condition based on acoustic and physiological parameters alone.

Comparing dysphonia severity index, objective, subjective, and perceptual analysis of voice in patients with multiple sclerosis and healthy controls

BACKGROUND

Impairments in voice quality in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) have recently been investigated and different results were found. A voice-centered multidimensional assessment protocol with patient-reported outcome measures was conducted to evaluate all the aspects of the voice changes.

OBJECTIVES

The study aimed to compare the objective, subjective, and perceptual measures of voice between the people with MS and the healthy control group.

METHODS

A total of 128 participants, including 64 people with MS age, and gender-matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Subjective, objective, and auditory-perceptual voice assessments of the participants were performed. The auditory-perceptual evaluation was performed with GRBAS. The Dysphonia Severity index was computed for both groups. All the participants completed the Turkish version of The Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) and the Voice-Related Quality of Life (VRQoL).

RESULTS

Acoustic and aerodynamic parameters of voice were found significantly different for both males and females between the MS and control group. DSI was found significantly different for both males and females in the MS group compared to the control group (p<0.05). All components of the GRBAS scale were significantly higher in the MS group (p<0.001). Using a multivariate regression model, it was determined that age, gender, EDSS score, number of MS attacks, and disease duration did not affect the DSI. The overall VHI-10 score was higher in the MS group (median=1.0 range= 0-28) and lower in the control group (median=0 range= 0-4). The mean VRQoL was lower in the MS group (median=95 range= 62.5-100) than in controls (median=100 range= 85-100) (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our results indicated that people with MS have significant differences in acoustic and aerodynamic parameters of voice compared to healthy individuals. A significant number of persons with MS are aware that their voice problem affects their quality of life. People with MS must be monitored for voice changes and a multidimensional voice assessment protocol should be implemented.

Maximum Phonation Time as a Predictor of Lactate Threshold during Intermittent Incremental Endurance Test

The aim of the present study was to examine whether the exercise intensity corresponding to the lactate threshold may be predicted by the Maximum Phonation Time task (MPT). Ten Greek amateur football players (age: 18.4 ± 1.0 years), performed a graded cycling exercise test to exhaustion in order to determine lactate threshold. A number of physiological variables were measured including perceived exertion, cardiopulmonary values and blood lactate. The MPT variable was correlated with all of the physiological variables. Also, a binary logistic regression analysis was used to investigate whether MPT could predict lactate threshold. The ROC analysis showed specificity to be 0.90 and sensitivity to be 0.70 (optimal screening cutoff point for MPT 9.5 seconds). The results showed an odds ratio of 1.45 indicating a 45% increase in the probability of passing the threshold for every second there was a reduction in voice duration. MPT may be used as a simple, non-invasive, inexpensive method for monitoring exercise intensity during physical exercise. Further research is needed to measure its efficacy in bigger samples and in different sports.

An Update on the Measurement of Motor Cerebellar Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive disease that often affects the cerebellum. It is characterised by demyelination, inflammation, and neurodegeneration within the central nervous system. Damage to the cerebellum in MS is associated with increased disability and decreased quality of life. Symptoms include gait and balance problems, motor speech disorder, upper limb dysfunction, and oculomotor difficulties. Monitoring symptoms is crucial for effective management of MS. A combination of clinical, neuroimaging, and task-based measures is generally used to diagnose and monitor MS. This paper reviews the present and new tools used by clinicians and researchers to assess cerebellar impairment in people with MS (pwMS). It also describes recent advances in digital and home-based monitoring for people with MS.

Receiver operating characteristic analysis of acoustic and electroglottographic parameters with different sustained vowels

OBJECTIVE

To examine the power of the parameters obtained from different sustained vowels used in acoustic and electroglottographic (EGG) voice evaluation protocols to discriminate between dysphonic and non-dysphonic voice quality.

METHODS

Sixty non-dysphonic participants and 30 dysphonic participants were included in the study. In addition to the time domain amplitude and frequency perturbation parameters obtained from the sustained phonation of /ʌ/-/ɛ/-/i/-/u/ vowels, several frequency-domain spectral/cepstral parameters and EGG parameters were evaluated. The classification performance of the acoustic and electroglottographic measures was quantified using analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

RESULTS

As a result of ROC analysis, the discriminative diagnostic performance (area under the curve, AUC) of the test for low-vowel (/ʌ/-/ɛ/) phonation was higher than values obtained from high-vowel (/i/-/u/) phonation. For /ʌ/ and /ɛ/ sustained vowels, the parameters exhibiting the highest discrimination were fundamental frequency standard deviation (f_o/STD), cepstral peak prominence (CPP), relative average perturbation (RAP), pitch perturbation quotient (PPQ), and jitter percent (JITT). In the EGG parameters, on the other hand, average jitter and periodicity parameters obtained from front vowels (/ɛ/-/i/) were found to have higher AUC values compared to back vowels (/ʌ/-/u/).

CONCLUSIONS

In acoustic analyses, /ʌ/ and /ɛ/ sustained vowels give the highest diagnostic performance. In the electroglottographic evaluation, on the other hand, /ɛ/ and /i/ vowels, when the position of the tongue is forward, have better classification performance compared to /ʌ/ and /u/ vowels, when the position of the tongue is back.

Sequential motion rate and oral reading rate: normative data for Greek and clinical implications

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the present study was to provide normative data in Greek, regarding sequential motion rate (SMR) and oral reading rate (ORR), and to show the sensitivity of both tasks to predict Parkinson's disease (PD).

METHODS

The speech rate of sixty-five healthy control participants was recorded and analyzed using speech acoustics. The speech rate of a subsample of 20 healthy control participants was compared to the speech rate of 20 pair-matched dysarthric parkinsonian participants. All participants produced the syllables /pataka/ (SMR task) as quickly as possible and read aloud a standard Greek passage (ORR task).

RESULTS

In normative data, the mean score for the SMR variable was 4.91 syllables per second (SD = 0.73) and for the ORR variable was 4.42 syllables per second (SD = 0.87). The Mann-Whitney test showed significant differences between the two groups of participants in the SMR (U = 64.000, Z = -4.60, p < .001) and ORR (U = 77.000, Z = -4.36, p < .001). Multiple binary logistic regression analysis examined the combined effect of ORR and SMR on the occurrence of the disease. The sensitivity of both tasks to predict PD was found to be 0.88 and the specificity 0.90. The optimal screening cutoff point was found to be 4.66 syllables/second for the SMR task and 2.79 syllables/second for the ORR task.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provided Greek normative data in SMR and ORR tasks. Both tasks showed high sensitivity and specificity to predict PD in the Greek sample of participants.

Speech metrics, general disability, brain imaging and quality of life in multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Objective measurement of speech has shown promising results to monitor disease state in multiple sclerosis. In this study, we characterize the relationship between disease severity and speech metrics through perceptual (listener based) and objective acoustic analysis. We further look at deviations of acoustic metrics in people with no perceivable dysarthria.

METHODS

Correlations and regression were calculated between speech measurements and disability scores, brain volume, lesion load and quality of life. Speech measurements were further compared between three subgroups of increasing overall neurological disability: mild (as rated by the Expanded Disability Status Scale ≤2.5), moderate (≥3 and ≤5.5) and severe (≥6).

RESULTS

Clinical speech impairment occurred majorly in people with severe disability. An experimental acoustic composite score differentiated mild from moderate (P < 0.001) and moderate from severe subgroups (P = 0.003), and correlated with overall neurological disability (r = 0.6, P < 0.001), quality of life (r = 0.5, P < 0.001), white matter volume (r = 0.3, P = 0.007) and lesion load (r = 0.3, P = 0.008). Acoustic metrics also correlated with disability scores in people with no perceivable dysarthria.

CONCLUSIONS

Acoustic analysis offers a valuable insight into the development of speech impairment in multiple sclerosis. These results highlight the potential of automated analysis of speech to assist in monitoring disease progression and treatment response.

Development and validation of a speech pathology-specific questionnaire for persons with multiple sclerosis (SMS)

Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop and validate the Speech pathology-specific questionnaire for persons with Multiple Sclerosis (SMS).Method: Forty-one items were generated through a literature review. Items were submitted to a preliminary psychometric validation process consisting of principal component analysis, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and floor and ceiling effects using data from 164 participants. Criterion validity was assessed by comparing the SMS with the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). Participants were recruited internationally through online channels and questionnaires were completed online.Result: The SMS contains 16 items describing three components: speech and voice, language, and swallowing. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) of the three components was satisfactory (α = 0.89-α = 0.91). Criterion validity was evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (ρ). A statistically significant weak to moderate correlation between the SMS and the SF-12 was identified (ρ = -0.004-ρ = -0.359). No floor or ceiling effects were present. The SMS demonstrated strong test-retest reliability. All items had an intra-class correlation coefficient ≥0.70.Conclusion: The SMS is a psychometrically robust patient-reported outcome measure to assess speech-language pathology symptoms in persons with MS.

Automated Assessment of Oral Diadochokinesis in Multiple Sclerosis Using a Neural Network Approach: Effect of Different Syllable Repetition Paradigms

Slow and irregular oral diadochokinesis represents an important manifestation of spastic and ataxic dysarthria in multiple sclerosis (MS). We aimed to develop a robust algorithm based on convolutional neural networks for the accurate detection of syllables from different types of alternating motion rate (AMR) and sequential motion rate (SMR) paradigms. Subsequently, we explored the sensitivity of AMR and SMR paradigms based on voiceless and voiced consonants in the detection of speech impairment. The four types of syllable repetition paradigms including /ta/, /da/, /pa/-/ta/-/ka/, and /ba/-/da/-/ga/ were collected from 120 MS patients and 60 matched healthy control speakers. Our neural network algorithm was able to correctly identify the position of individual syllables with a very high average accuracy of 97.8%, with the correct temporal detection of syllable position of 87.8% for 10 ms and 95.5% for 20 ms tolerance value. We found significantly altered diadochokinetic rate and regularity in MS compared to controls across all types of investigated tasks ( ). MS patients showed slower speech for SMR compared to AMR tasks, whereas voiced paradigms were more irregular. Objective evaluation of oral diadochokinesis using different AMR and SMR paradigms may provide important information regarding speech severity and pathophysiology of the underlying disease.

Quantification of dysarthrοphonia in a Cypriot family with autosomal recessive hereditary spastic paraplegia associated with a homozygous SPG11 mutation

BACKGROUND

Dysarthrophonia is often reported by hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) patients with SPG11 mutations but it has been poorly investigated.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to investigate dysarthrophonia in SPG11 patients using quantitative measures. The voice/speech of two patients and a non-affected mutation carrier was recorded and analyzed using electroglottography (EGG) and speech acoustics.

RESULTS

Dysarthrophonia showed a higher standard deviation of the average fundamental frequency, a three to eight times higher jitter, a 80-110 Hz higher mean fundamental frequency, and a two times higher fundamental frequency range. Diadochokinesis showed a pattern of a two to three times increase in the mean duration of the release burst of the phonemes /p/, /t/, /k/ as well as a 1.5 time increase in the mean vowel duration of the syllables /pa/, /ta/, /ka/.

CONCLUSION

Non-invasive physiological methods (EGG and speech acoustics) offer essential tools for the assessment of dysarthrophonia in SPG11 patients.

Open-Label Fosmetpantotenate, a Phosphopantothenate Replacement Therapy in a Single Patient with Atypical PKAN

Objective. Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) is an autosomal recessive disorder with variable onset, rate of progression, and phenotypic expression. Later-onset, more slowly progressive PKAN often presents with neuropsychiatric as well as motor manifestations that include speech difficulties, progressive dystonia, rigidity, and parkinsonism. PKAN is caused by biallelic PANK2 mutations, a gene that encodes pantothenate kinase 2, a regulatory enzyme in coenzyme A biosynthesis. Current therapeutic strategies rely on symptomatic relief. We describe the treatment of the first, later-onset PKAN patient with oral fosmetpantotenate (previously known as RE-024), a novel replacement therapy developed to bypass the enzymatic defect. Methods. This was an open-label, uncontrolled, 12-month treatment with fosmetpantotenate of a single patient with a later-onset, moderately severe, and slowly progressive form of PKAN. Results. The patient showed improvement in all clinical parameters including the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Barry-Albright Dystonia Scale, the EuroQol five-dimensional three-level (EQ-5D-3L) scale, timed 25-foot walk test, and electroglottographic speech analysis. Fosmetpantotenate was well-tolerated with only transient liver enzyme elevation which normalized after dose reduction and did not recur after subsequent dose increases. Conclusions. Fosmetpantotenate showed promising results in a single PKAN patient and should be further studied in controlled trials.

Comparing voice self-assessment with auditory perceptual analysis in patients with multiple sclerosis

Introduction Disordered voice quality could be a symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). The impact of MS on voice-related quality of life is still controversial.

Objectives The aim of this study was to compare the results of voice self-assessment with the results of expert perceptual assessment in patients with MS.

Methods The research included 38 patients with relapse-remitting MS (23 women and 15 men; ages 21 to 83, mean = 44). All participants filled out a Voice Handicap Index (VHI), and their voice sample was analyzed by speech and language professionals using the Grade Roughness Breathiness Asthenia Strain scale (GRBAS).

Results The patients with MS had significantly higher VHI than control group participants (mean value 16.68 ± 16.2 compared with 5.29 ± 5.5, p = 0.0001). The study established a notable level of dysphonia in 55%, roughness and breathiness in 66%, asthenia in 34%, and strain in 55% of the vocal samples. A significant correlation was established between VHI and GRBAS scores (r = 0.3693, p = 0.0225), and VHI and asthenia and strain components (r = 0.4037 and 0.3775, p = 0.012 and 0.0195, respectively). The female group showed positive and significant correlation between claims for self-assessing one's voice (pVHI) and overall GRBAS scores, and between pVHI and grade, roughness, asthenia, and strain components. No significant correlation was found for male patients (p > 0.05).

Conclusion A significant number of patients with MS experienced voice problems. The VHI is a good and effective tool to assess patient self-perception of voice quality, but it may not reflect the severity of dysphonia as perceived by voice and speech professionals.

Voice-related quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis

Objective. To investigate the voice-related quality of life in a group of patients with multiple sclerosis. Participants. A total of 87 subjects (59 MS subjects and 28 controls) participated in this study. Main Outcome Measures. Variables included presence or absence of phonatory symptoms, duration of the disease, the expanded disability status scale (EDSS), the severity of fatigue, and depression. All patients were asked to fill the Voice Handicap Index. Results. The average age was 35.47 years + 10.92 with 39% being males. The average duration of the disease was 77.93 months. The EDSS score was 1.94 + 1.84, the FSS score was 4.07 + 2.09, and the HRSD was 7.28 + 7.70. Only 7 subjects out of the 59 had vocal symptoms compared to 3 in the control group. There was no significant difference in the VHI total score between cases (5.9 + 15.5) and controls (5.4 + 8.2). There was a positive correlation between VHI total score, FSS score, and HRSD (P values of 0.011 and <0.01. Conclusion. The voice-related quality of life in MS is within normal with no disability.