Relationship between the stuttering severity index and speech rate.
BACKGROUND
The speech rate is one of the parameters considered when investigating speech fluency and is an important variable in the assessment of individuals with communication complaints.


OBJECTIVE
To correlate the stuttering severity index with one of the indices used for assessing fluency/speech rate.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Fluency and Fluency Disorders Investigation Laboratory, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo.


METHODS
Seventy adults with stuttering diagnosis.


METHODS
A speech sample from each participant containing at least 200 fluent syllables was videotaped and analyzed according to a stuttering severity index test and speech rate parameters.


RESULTS
The results obtained in this study indicate that the stuttering severity and the speech rate present significant variation, i.e., the more severe the stuttering is, the lower the speech rate in words and syllables per minute.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that speech rate is an important indicator of fluency levels and should be incorporated in the assessment and treatment of stuttering. This study represents a first attempt to identify the possible subtypes of developmental stuttering.


BACKGROUND
Objective tests that quantify diseases are important in their diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
de Andrade
Claudia Regina Furquim
CR
Fluency and Fluency Disorders Investigation Laboratory, Department of Physiotherapy, Speech-Language and Hearing Pathology and Occupational Therapy, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. clauan@usp.br
Cervone
Luciana Maluf
LM
Sassi
Fernanda Chiarion
FC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology*; D013068:Speech Production Measurement; D013342:Stuttering / Q000503:physiopathology*