ACQ Vol 12 no 1 2010

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44 ACQ Volume 12, Number 1 2010 ACQuiring knowledge in speech, language and hearing
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Correspondence to:
Dr Jenny Harasty
Speech Pathology Australia National Advisor
Research and Evidence Based Practice
email:
Deborah
Theodoros
be due to the global effect of increased loudness and effort
affecting other subsystems of the speech mechanism
beyond the respiratory-laryngeal systems. This study in
which people were treated with either LSVT® or traditional
dysarthria therapy revealed that both treatments, when
delivered intensively (one hour per day, four days per week,
for four weeks) resulted in significant improvements in
certain aspects of speech production (Wenke, Theodoras, &
Cornwell, 2008, 2009).
Future research in motor speech disorders will continue
to pursue the development of treatment protocols based
on the principles of motor learning and neuroplasticity, and
on technology-based methods of service delivery which will
assist clinicians to meet the health challenges of the future.
References
Hill, A.J., Theodoros, D. G., Russell, T. & Ward, E. C. (in
press). The re-design and re-evaluation of an Internet-based
telerehabilitation system for the assessment of dysarthria in
adults. Telemedicine and eHealth.
Hill, A., Theodoros, D. G., Russell, T., & Ward, E. C.
(2009). Using telerehabilitation to assess apraxia of speech
in adults. International Journal of Language and
Communication Disorders, 44(5), 731–747.
Wenke, R., Theodoros, D., & Cornwell, P. (2009).
Effectiveness of the LSVT® on hypernasality in non-
progressive dysarthria: The need for further research.
International Journal of Language and Communication
Disorders, iFirst, 1–23.
Wenke, R., Theodoros, D., & Cornwell, P. (2008). The
short and long term effectiveness of the LSVT® for dysarthria
following TBI and stroke. Brain Injury, 22 , 339–352.
Historically, research in motor speech
disorders at the University of Queensland has focused on the
assessment of dysarthria and apraxia of speech utilising
perceptual, acoustic, and instrumental techniques in order to
investigate the underlying pathophysiology of these
disorders. Such research continues to be conducted in
various populations such as traumatic brain injury,
Friedreich’s ataxia, stroke, and Parkinson’s disease (PD).
More recently, however, research in motor speech disorders
has involved the development of alternative service delivery
models, and investigations of treatment efficacy.
Over the last five years, researchers in the Telerehabilitation
Research Unit have
developed and validated telerehabilitation applications
to assess and treat people with motor speech disorders
across the Internet. This mode of service delivery has the
potential to overcome the difficulties encountered by many
people living in rural and remote areas, and those with a
disability, in accessing therapy services. One study in this
area involved the assessment and treatment of hypokinetic
dysarthria online using the Lee Silverman Treatment
(LSVT®) program. Results from this randomised controlled
trial revealed that significant improvements in speech and
voice, comparable to those achieved face-to-face, can be
achieved in people with PD when treated across the Internet
(submitted for publication). In another study, the online
assessment of dysarthria and apraxia of speech has been
found to be comparable to results obtained face-to-face
(Hill, Theodoras, Russell, & Ward, in press; Hill, Theodoras,
Russell, & Ward, 2008). Research in telerehabilitation has
led to the development of eHAB®, a portable multi-media
videoconferencing unit which connects to the Internet via
the mobile telephone network. This system is designed to be
placed in the person’s home.
Treatment efficacy research in motor speech disorders
has involved an investigation into the effectiveness of the
LSVT® in the management of dysarthric speakers with non-
progressive dysarthria. Although originally developed for the
treatment of hypokinetic dysarthria, the LSVT® has been
shown in single case studies to improve speech intelligibility
in other types of dysarthria. These results are thought to
Motor speech disorders
research at UQ
Deborah Theodoros
Correspondence to:
Deborah Theodoros, PhD
Professor and Head
Division of Speech Pathology
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
The University of Queensland, Brisbane
email:
Research update