CH 5. - Spastic Dysarthria

Question 1

Neuromotor Basis of Spastic Dysarthria

Answer 1

• spasicity
• damage to UMN pathway/corticobulbar
• neuromuscular execution

Question 2

Neural Redundancy (as it related to speech/swallowing musculature)

Answer 2

UMN Direct pathways provide contralateral innervation (criss-cross) for muscles of the lower face & tongue.

All other muscles of speech recieve bilateral UMN input from both direct & indirect.

NECESSARY TO PROVIDE SAFETY (back-up plan)

Question 3

Etiologies for Spastic Dysarthria

Answer 3

• Degenerative
• Vascular
• Congenital (CP)
• Traumatic
• Demylinating

Question 4

3 general symptoms assocaited with UMN damage/disease

Answer 4

LOSS OF SKILLED MOVEMENT: fractionation, reduced range/accuracy, direction & rhythm maintained

SLOWNESS: loss of skill & increase spas

HYPERREFLEXIA: stretch reflex is hyperactive or exaggerated

Question 5

4 Patient’s speech-related complaint

Answer 5

• slow
• effortful/feels resistance
• fatigue with speaking
• needs to speak slowly, unable to speak fast

Question 6

Distinctive speech features of Spastic Dysarthria

Answer 6

Harsh voice
Low pitch
Slow rate
Strained-Strangled
Pitch breaks
Imprecise consonants
Monopitch
Reduced Stress
Monoloudness
Hypernasality
Short Phrases
Distorted Vowels