Spastic dysarthria

Question 0

Patient perceptions

Answer 0

• slow and effortful speech
• fatigue when speaking
• swallowing complaints
• pseudobulbar affect **

Question 1

Causes

Answer 1

• any process that damages DAP and IAP bilaterally
• most frequently vascular disorders w/ MCA & PCA
• Leukoencephalitis (inflammation of brainstem/spinal cord)
• Primary Lateral Sclerosis
• MS

Question 2

OME Observations

Answer 2

• Dysphagia / drooling
• normal jaw strength
• jaw clonus
• weak bilaterally in the face
• reduced ROM bilaterally of the lips
• AMRs slow and reduced ROM; regular rhythm
• hyperactive gag
• weak cough & coup
• pathologic oral reflexes present
• reflexive facial responses slow to emerge but may become excessive

Question 3

Speech observations

Answer 3

• strained-strangled VQ
• imprecise consonants
• reduced VP closure
• monopitch
• low pitch
• slow rate
• hypernasality
• short phrases
• pitch breaks
• excess and equal stress