scholarly journals Speech Intelligibility and Marital Communication in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

2010 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin Joubert ◽  
Juan Bornman ◽  
Erna Alant
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Neuromuscular Disease ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Marital Relationship ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Communication Intervention ◽  
Marital Communication ◽  
Positive Relation ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a rapidly progressive neuromuscular disease, has a devastating impact not only on individuals diagnosed with ALS but also their spouses. Speech intelligibility, often compromised as a result of dysarthria, affects the couple’s ability to maintain effective, intimate communication. The purpose of this exploratory study was to determine the association between the deteriorating speech of persons with ALS (PALS) and couples’ perceptions of marital communication. There were two participant groups: (a) persons with ALS (PALS) and (b) their spouses. Data were collected over a 12-month period through the administration of objective and subjective measures. A review of the findings suggested a positive relation between declining speech intelligibility and a couple’s perception of marital communication. A holistic approach to communication intervention should be adopted for PALS, as communication as a means of facilitating and maintaining intimacy in the marital relationship is particularly pertinent to this population.

scholarly journals Motor Unit Number Estimation in Neuromuscular Disease

2008 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omid Rashidipour ◽  
K. Ming Chan
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Motor Unit ◽  
Neuromuscular Disease ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Neuromuscular Diseases ◽  
Neuronal Loss ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Motor Unit Number Estimation ◽  
Electrophysiological Method ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Motor unit number estimation (MUNE) is an electrophysiological method designed to quantify motor unit loss in target muscles of interest. Most of the techniques are noninvasive and are therefore well suited for longitudinal monitoring. In this brief review, we describe the more commonly used techniques and their applications in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, poliomyelitis, spinal muscular atrophy and hereditary sensorimotor neuropathies. Findings in some of these studies offer important pathophysiological insights. Since conventional electrophysiologic methods are not sensible measures of motor neuronal loss, MUNE could play a potentially important role in the diagnosis, monitoring of disease progression and response to treatment in neuromuscular diseases in which motor unit loss is a major feature.

scholarly journals A Phonetic Complexity-Based Approach for Intelligibility and Articulatory Precision Testing: A Preliminary Study on Talkers With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 61 (9) ◽  
pp. 2205-2214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mili Kuruvilla-Dugdale ◽  
Claire Custer ◽  
Lindsey Heidrick ◽  
Richard Barohn ◽  
Raghav Govindarajan
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Speech Impairments ◽  
Word Level ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Perceived Impact ◽  
Complex Words ◽  
Level Analysis ◽  
Precision Testing ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Purpose This study describes a phonetic complexity-based approach for speech intelligibility and articulatory precision testing using preliminary data from talkers with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Method Eight talkers with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and 8 healthy controls produced a list of 16 low and high complexity words. Sixty-four listeners judged the samples for intelligibility, and 2 trained listeners completed phoneme-level analysis to determine articulatory precision. To estimate percent intelligibility, listeners orthographically transcribed each word, and the transcriptions were scored as being either accurate or inaccurate. Percent articulatory precision was calculated based on the experienced listeners' judgments of phoneme distortions, deletions, additions, and/or substitutions for each word. Articulation errors were weighted based on the perceived impact on intelligibility to determine word-level precision. Results Between-groups differences in word intelligibility and articulatory precision were significant at lower levels of phonetic complexity as dysarthria severity increased. Specifically, more severely impaired talkers showed significant reductions in word intelligibility and precision at both complexity levels, whereas those with milder speech impairments displayed intelligibility reductions only for more complex words. Articulatory precision was less sensitive to mild dysarthria compared to speech intelligibility for the proposed complexity-based approach. Conclusions Considering phonetic complexity for dysarthria tests could result in more sensitive assessments for detecting and monitoring dysarthria progression.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

2019 ◽  
pp. 322-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Newman Osafo ◽  
David Darko Obiri ◽  
Oduro Kofi Yeboah ◽  
Prince Amankwah Baffour Minkah
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Family History ◽  
Muscle Atrophy ◽  
Neuromuscular Disease ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽  
Anterior Horn Cell ◽  
Cell Degeneration ◽  
Corticospinal Tracts ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder (ND) that primarily comprises the neurons responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movement. The unique neuropathologic findings include anterior horn cell degeneration producing muscle atrophy or amyotrophy, degeneration, and sclerosis of the corticospinal tracts. It is a common neuromuscular disease worldwide and has been identified in people of all races. There seems to be neither identified risk factors nor family history associated with most of the documented ALS cases. There exists no treatment for ALS that can prevent neither its progression nor reverse its development. However, there are treatments available that can help control symptoms, prevent unnecessary complications, and make living with the disease easier. This chapter extensively discusses this neurodegenerative disorder based on the currently available knowledge on the condition.

Otolaryngologic presentations of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

2005 ◽  
Vol 132 (3) ◽  
pp. 500-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anton Chen ◽  
C. Gaelyn Garrett
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Retrospective Review ◽  
Neuromuscular Disease ◽  
Vocal Fold ◽  
Neurology Clinic ◽  
Bulbar Symptoms ◽  
Neuromuscular Abnormalities ◽  
Als Patients ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To determine the incidence of voice disturbance as a presenting symptom of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and describe laryngologic features of ALS. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. METHODS: Records of patients with voice disturbance at a voice center and ALS patients at a neurology clinic were reviewed from January 1998 to March 2003. RESULTS: 15 of 1759 patients with voice disturbance were later diagnosed with ALS. Of 220 ALS patients presenting to neurology clinic, 44 had bulbar symptoms and 19 had initially presented to an otolaryngologist. Dysarthria, dysphagia, tongue fasciculation, and incomplete vocal fold closure were common findings. Neuromuscular disease was missed in 8 of 19 ALS patients seen by an otolaryngologist. CONCLUSIONS: Although otolaryngologists rarely encounter undiagnosed ALS patients, a significant portion of bulbar ALS patients are initially evaluated by otolaryngologists. SIGNIFICANCE: Vigilance for neuromuscular abnormalities on otolaryngologic exam is important in patients who present with dysarthria, dysphonia, or dysphagia. EBM rating: C.

An exploratory study of serum urate levels in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

2010 ◽  
Vol 258 (2) ◽  
pp. 238-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Zoccolella ◽  
Isabella Laura Simone ◽  
Rosa Capozzo ◽  
Rosanna Tortelli ◽  
Antonio Leo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Serum Urate ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

scholarly journals Predicting Early Bulbar Decline in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Speech Subsystem Approach

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Panying Rong ◽  
Yana Yunusova ◽  
Jun Wang ◽  
Jordan R. Green
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Speaking Rate ◽  
Linear Mixed Effects ◽  
Data Mining Approach ◽  
Kaplan Meier ◽  
Bulbar Dysfunction ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Purpose. To develop a predictive model of speech loss in persons with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) based on measures of respiratory, phonatory, articulatory, and resonatory functions that were selected using a data-mining approach.Method. Physiologic speech subsystem (respiratory, phonatory, articulatory, and resonatory) functions were evaluated longitudinally in 66 individuals with ALS using multiple instrumentation approaches including acoustic, aerodynamic, nasometeric, and kinematic. The instrumental measures of the subsystem functions were subjected to a principal component analysis and linear mixed effects models to derive a set of comprehensive predictors of bulbar dysfunction. These subsystem predictors were subjected to a Kaplan-Meier analysis to estimate the time until speech loss.Results. For a majority of participants, speech subsystem decline was detectible prior to declines in speech intelligibility and speaking rate. Among all subsystems, the articulatory and phonatory predictors were most responsive to early bulbar deterioration; and the resonatory and respiratory predictors were as responsive to bulbar decline as was speaking rate.Conclusions. The articulatory and phonatory predictors are sensitive indicators of early bulbar decline due to ALS, which has implications for predicting disease onset and progression and clinical management of ALS.

Articulatory Kinematic Characteristics Across the Dysarthria Severity Spectrum in Individuals With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 258-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jimin Lee ◽  
Michael Bell ◽  
Zachary Simmons
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Speaking Rate ◽  
Tongue Movement ◽  
Jaw Movement ◽  
Movement Trajectories ◽  
Electromagnetic Articulography ◽  
Kinematic Characteristics ◽  
Temporal Measures ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Purpose The current study investigated whether articulatory kinematic patterns can be extrapolated across the spectrum of dysarthria severity in individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Method Temporal and spatial articulatory kinematic data were collected using electromagnetic articulography from 14 individuals with dysarthria secondary to ALS and 6 typically aging speakers. Speech intelligibility and speaking rate were used as indices of severity. Results Temporal measures (duration, speed of articulators) were significantly correlated with both indices of severity. In speakers with dysarthria, spatial measures were not correlated with severity except in 3 measures: tongue movement displacement was more reduced in the anterior–posterior dimension; jaw movement distance was greater in the inferior–superior dimension; jaw convex hull area was larger in speakers with slower speaking rates. Visual inspection of movement trajectories revealed that overall spatial kinematic characteristics in speakers with severe dysarthria differed qualitatively from those in speakers with mild or moderate dysarthria. Unlike speakers with dysarthria, typically aging speakers displayed variable tongue movement and minimal jaw movement. Conclusions The current study revealed that spatial articulatory characteristics, unlike temporal characteristics, showed a complicated pattern across the severity spectrum. The findings suggest that articulatory characteristics in speakers with severe dysarthria cannot simply be extrapolated from those in speakers with mild-to-moderate dysarthria secondary to ALS.

scholarly journals Are Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Caregivers at Higher Risk for Health Problems?

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 56
Author(s):  
Ana Catarina Pinho ◽  
Edna Gonçalves
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Physical Strain ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

<p><strong>Introduction:</strong> Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a rare neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons. Patients present with progressive physical impairment, respiratory failure being the main cause of death. A significant portion of patients presents neurobehavioral problems as well. As severe impairment occurs, patients become highly dependent and in general, their families assume the role of primary caregivers, exposing them to stress and other potential causes of disease like insomnia, physical strain from patients’ mobilization and changes on eating habits. The aim of this work is to understand if taking care of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis increases disease and health problems on caregivers.<br /><strong>Material and Methods:</strong> Comprehensive review of the literature published on the electronic databases PubMed and Scopus between 2010 and 2014.<br /><strong>Results:</strong> Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria. We found that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis caregivers have higher levels of burden, depression and anxiety with lower quality of life. This is associated to age and gender of caregivers, time spent caring, patients’ disability and neurobehavioral changes. Higher sense of support and spirituality on family seem to promote wellbeing.<br /><strong>Discussion:</strong> On our work, we were able to understand that several factors have influenced caregivers’ quality of life and affect their health. Besides, we could understand that the outcomes studied are related between themselves and, as seen in some of the studies, related to patients’ quality of life itself. Consequently, it has become essential to adopt a holistic approach of these patients and their families, fighting the deteriorating risk factors and investing on health promoters.<br /><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Despite the large body of research on family caregiving for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients, little has changed and the outcomes measured remain almost the same before and after 2010. The work indicates that caregivers have lower levels of health than the general population. Still additional research is required, in order to better understand and characterized the changes on caregivers’ health. It is nevertheless clear that health care professionals cannot ignore these health changes and need an approach focused not only on patients but also on caregivers.</p>

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