Abstract
Stroking the soft palate or tongue on one side with a tongue blade induces a reflex movement drawing the contralateral angle of the mouth laterally in some patients with dysarthria due to cerebrovascular diseases. If these patients are asked to vocalize during this stimulation, the voice becomes strained and strangled. Such a phenomenon is immediately followed by a swallowing reflex in most instances. This phenomenon is here tentatively named the “oro-vocal phenomenon” in order to further investgate its clinical implications in relation to articulatooy and swallowing training of dysarthric patients.
The following conclusions have been drawn:
1. The “oro-vocal phenomenon” is considered to be related to the swallowing reflex. When the speech organs are severely disturbed, it seems wise to facilitate the swallowing reflex via this phenomenon in the initial stage of training.
2. Reflex movements need to be inhibited for accurate articulation and volitional swallowing. Therefore this phenomenon must be inhibited in the advanced stages of training.
