Medical Measures for Motor Speech Disorders (Dysarthria)

—What is Specific to Human Beings?—

Abstract

Inherently, the articulatory organs were not intended to produce articulatory movements, but rather to perform respiratory movements and oral intake of water and nutriments. The human erect posture taken by the vertebrae is thought to endow the articulatory organs with fine and unrestricted movements enabling speech motor control, accompanied by a unique mode of respiratory pattern in humans. However, when excessive loads or unsteadiness above the level of maintenance of the erect posture and respiration are affected by various factors, the articulatory organs engage to adjust body balance, head positioning, and respiratory function. When this occurs, the speech organs become restricted, and the degree of abnormal neural control induced by neuromuscular diseases becomes more amplified. Medical measures for dysarthria should not focus only on dysarthria, but look at and treat all aspects of dysarthria patients.