Subjective Self-Rated Speech Intelligibility and Quality of Life in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease in a Malaysian Sample

Shin Ying Chu,Chai Li Tan

doi:10.2174/1874944501811010485

Abstract

Objectives: This study compared the Quality of Life (QOL) of individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) with a healthy control from a sample in Malaysia. The relationship between the QOL, age, gender, duration of disease, self-rated speech scale, and life satisfaction level was examined. Methods: Fifty-four individuals with PD and 55 non-PD control adults completed the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39) and rated their speech intelligibility [Self-Rated Speech Scale (SRSS)] and life satisfaction level [Life Satisfaction Scale (LSS)] on a 10-point scale. Results: PD participants reported significantly lower QOL scores than the control group (Mann-Whitney U). Although there was no significant relationship between the QOL, age, gender, and duration of disease for PD participants, moderately significant correlations were observed between QOL, LSS and SRSS ratings (Spearman correlation). Individuals with PD showed lower QOL and higher concern in their communication than the control group. Conclusion: Identifying patients’ perception of their speech performance could help clinicians to better understand patients’ needs when delivering speech therapy services.

Highlights

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the world’s second most common neurodegenerative disease, and affects over 10 million people worldwide [1, 2]
There was no significant relationship between the Quality of Life (QOL), age, gender, and duration of disease for PD participants, moderately significant correlations were observed between QOL, Life Satisfaction Scale (LSS) and Self-Rated Speech Scale (SRSS) ratings (Spearman correlation)
Respondents from this study reported a moderate correlation between the LSS and PD Summary Index score (PDSI) scores, indicating that life satisfaction could affect their quality of life

Summary

Introduction

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the world’s second most common neurodegenerative disease, and affects over 10 million people worldwide [1, 2]. Quality of life is defined as an individual’s perception of their experiences in life [14] It reflects the degree of challenges that one faces in life [15], including social functions, emotional, physical, and mental conditions. The PDQ-39 is commonly used to measure one’s experiences of the impact of PD on life It is widely used in determining treatment outcomes and when reviewing the overall impact of PD [18]. It consists of 39 items and measures eight dimensions of quality of life relating to PD (i.e., mobility, activities of daily living, emotional, stigma, social support, cognitions, communication, and bodily discomfort)

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Discussion

Conclusion