2019 Volume 60 Issue 3 Pages 190-195
We reviewed the literature on rehabilitation for patients with dysarthria and classified the various approaches adopted according to the framework of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). For the body function and impairment domain, approaches are implemented to improve motion range and speed, as well as strength of the speech organs and muscles needed for speech production. For the activity and disability domain, approaches are taken to utilize existing function and to maximize communication; improvement of speech intelligibility is also vital, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is used for some cases. For the participation domain, approaches are conducted to promote the patient's social participation and to enhance motivation for speech treatment. In this manuscript, behavioral approaches conducted by speech-language-hearing therapists are presented mainly with regard to the systems and organs of speech production. In addition, based on systematic review reports we discuss what we need to do further in order to improve QOL in patients with dysarthria.