Adult normative values for the PATA Rate Test.

Abstract

During neurological evaluation, dysarthria is not rated using quantitative measures, but rather using a qualitative approach. Aim of our study was to validate and acquire normative values for the PATA Rate Task (PRT), a quantitative test used to measure the severity of dysarthria. For the PRT probands are invited to repeat the syllables "PA-TA" as quickly as possible during a 10-s interval. The score consists in the number of correct repetition of both syllables. We enrolled 232 healthy controls (118 males, 114 females), mean and standard deviation of the PRT was 28.84 ± 6.6 (range 14-52). The PRT showed good inter-rater reliability (R = 0.783; p < 0.001), as well as test-retest reliability (R = 0.927; p < 0.001), and intra-rater reliability (R = 0.888; p < 0.001). Higher age correlated with lower scores (R = -0.368; p < 0.001). The PRT showed good reliability and could be easily added to the evaluation of movement disorders where a speech evaluation is essential.