Treating dysarthria following traumatic brain injury: investigating the benefits of commencing treatment during post-traumatic amnesia in two participants.
OBJECTIVE
The aims of this preliminary study were to explore the suitability for and benefits of commencing dysarthria treatment for people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) while in post-traumatic amnesia (PTA). It was hypothesized that behaviours in PTA don't preclude participation and dysarthria characteristics would improve post-treatment.


METHODS
A series of comprehensive case analyses.


METHODS
Two participants with severe TBI received dysarthria treatment focused on motor speech deficits until emergence from PTA. A checklist of neurobehavioural sequelae of TBI was rated during therapy and perceptual and motor speech assessments were administered before and after therapy.


RESULTS
Results revealed that certain behaviours affected the quality of therapy but didn't preclude the provision of therapy. Treatment resulted in physiological improvements in some speech sub-systems for both participants, with varying functional speech outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that dysarthria treatment can begin and provide short-term benefits to speech production during the late stages of PTA post-TBI.
McGhee
Hannah
H
Division of Speech Pathology, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Cornwell
Petrea
P
Addis
Paula
P
Jarman
Carly
C
D000328:Adult; D000648:Amnesia, Retrograde / Q000209:etiology*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D004401:Dysarthria / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills; D011594:Psychometrics; D013062:Speech Articulation Tests; D013065:Speech Intelligibility; D013070:Speech Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome