Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) can affect the intelligibility of speech. Although studies of vowel production are useful for measuring this impairment, they do not exist in Spanish speakers with the disease who have been treated with subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS). STN-DBS is an effective treatment for the classic signs of PD, but with varied effects on speech. Data from two individuals with PD treated with STN-DBS were studied: one (P1) had impairment and the other (P2) had stable speech intelligibility after STN-DBS implantation. The triangular vowel space area (tVSA) and the vowel articulation index (VAI) were measured and compared before the implantation surgery, and at three, six and nine months after surgery. These measurements were compared with measurements of speech intelligibility (percentage of words correctly identified and degree of intelligibility). Both participants presented variations in measurements of vowel articulation after surgery. In P1, the reduction in the tVSA, but not the post-surgical change in the VAI, was consistent with reduced speech intelligibility. However, in P2, both measurements (tVSA and VAI) reflected stable speech intelligibility after surgery. Reduced speech intelligibility in Spanish speakers with PD after STN-DBS implantation may be reflected in a reduced tVSA.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.