Abstract
The objects of this study were to investigate the correlations between lingual strength, active lingual movement and speech clearness in patients with paretic dysarthria. We designed a device to measure lingual strength with the use of a pressure sensor. The lingual strength was measured in five directions. The active lingual movement was examined and graded in three classes, while, the speech clearness was examined and graded in five classes. The subjects for this study were seventeen patients with paretic dysarthria due to cerebrovascular accident. They were 50 to 70 years old with an average age of 61.4 years. We also measured the lingual strength, and examined the active lingual movement and speech clearness of eleven healthy college students for comparative reference.
The results of this study were as follows: 1) Correlation was not seen between the lingual strength in directions of left and right and speech clearness in any class including healthy subjects. Correlation in the upper, lower, and anterior directions was seen between patients with paretic dysarthria and healthy subjects. Correlation was not seen among patients with paretic dysarthria. 2) Correlation was not seen between active lingual movement and speech clearness in patients with paretic dysarthria. However, active lingual movement in the upper direction seemed to be more difficult than in any other direction. 3) A common trend of lingual strength in each direction was revealed both in patients with paretic dysarthria and healthy subjects. The maximum lingual strength was seen in the lower direction.
