Article
The soft palate orthesis as a communication aid for dysarthria
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Authors
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Rainer Müller
- Univ.-HNO-Klinik, Dresden, Germany
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Bernd Reitemeier
- Pol. f. Zahnärztl. Prothetik, Dresden, Germany
| Published: | July 8, 2008 |
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Outline
Text
Introduction: Dysarthria is the most frequent neurogenic disturbance of communication. The speech motor control is disturbed. The treatment of the dysarthria is based on the logopedic exercise therapy, the adaptation of communication aids, drug therapy and surgical interventions. First experiences made with the soft palate orthosis as a communication aid in cases of disturbed motility of the soft palate are reported.
Method: In the course of the rehabilitation, seven patients in the age group 17 to 51 years, who suffered from paresis of the soft palate because of a tumor or an accident, got a soft palate orthosis in case of a distinctly reduced understandability of the speech as a result of rhinophonia aperta.
Results: An improved understandability of the speech has been achieved by the soft palate orthosis and a logopedic therapy. Improvements are observed as regards some voice and speech parameters as well as spontaneous speech. The maximum adaptation periods were three months.
Conclusion: The soft palate orthosis requires a good extensive state of the teeth for anchorage. The tolerance depends on the sensitivity of the soft palate area.
The manufacture of the orthosis is time-consuming because the adaptation requires a function-controlled, step-by-step application of the material. The improvements depend on the degree of the disturbance and the existence of further functional deficiencies.
The soft palate orthosis should be provided as soon as possible since a sufficient velopharyngeal closure is an important precondition for the recovery of speech motor control.
