Velopharyngeal function in adult speakers of Portuguese diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
The primary aim of the present investigation was to obtain the nasalance score in Portuguese speakers with multiple sclerosis (MS) in order to identify velopharyngeal impairments and to enhance clinicians' ability to employ appropriate therapy strategies for speech disorders in MS.


METHODS
Perceptual assessments (speech sample analysis) and instrumental technique (Nasometer) were performed. Two passages were constructed in the Portuguese Language: one similar to the Grandfather Passage for perceptual assessments and the other similar to the Zoo Passage for the nasalance score.


METHODS
Seventy (70) adult Portuguese speakers with MS and seventy five (75) nonneurologically disordered Portuguese speakers were involved in this study.


CONCLUSIONS
The mean nasalance score of the MS participants was found to be significantly higher than of the control group, confirming velopharyngeal dysfunction in the Portuguese speakers group with MS. The results in this study contrast with a low incidence of velopharyngeal impairment present in English speakers with MS. These findings are discussed with respect to the degree of hypernasality and the potential influence of these impairments on the verbal output of the speakers of Portuguese.
Vitorino
Jussara
J
Division of Speech Pathology and Audiology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. saravitorino@gmail.com
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications*; D011174:Portugal; D013061:Speech Acoustics; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D013068:Speech Production Measurement / Q000379:methods; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D014833:Voice Quality; D055815:Young Adult