Automatic boost articulation therapy in adults with dysarthria: Acceptability, usability and user interaction

Abstract

Background: Imprecise articulation has a negative impact on speech intelligibility. Therefore, treatment of articulation is clinically relevant in patients with dysarthria. In order to be effective and according to the principles of motor learning, articulation therapy needs to be intensive, well organized, with adequate feedback and requires frequent practice. Aims:The aims of this pilot study are (1) to evaluate the feasibility of a virtual articulation therapy (VAT) to guide patients with dysarthria through a boost articulation therapy (BArT) program; (2) to evaluate the acoustic models' performance used for automatic phonological error detection; and (3) to validate the system by end-users from their perspective. Methods & Procedures:The VAT provides an extensive and well-structured package of exercises with visual and auditory modelling and adequate feedback on the utterances. The tool incorporates automated methods to detect phonological errors, which are specifically designed to analyse Dutch speech production. A total of 14 subjects with dysarthria evaluated the acceptability, usability and user interaction with the VAT based on two completed therapy sessions using a self-designed questionnaire. Outcomes & Results:In general, participants were positive about the new computer-based therapy approach. The algorithm performance for phonological error detection shows it to be accurate, which contributes to adequate feedback of utterance production. The results of the study indicate that the VAT has a userfriendly interface that can be used independently by patients with dysarthria who have sufficient cognitive, linguistic, motoric and sensory skills to benefit from speech therapy. Recommendations were given by the end-users to further optimize the program and to ensure user engagement. Conclusions & Implications:The initial implementation of an automatic BArT shows it to be feasible and well accepted by end-users. The tool is an appropriate solution to increase the frequency and intensity of articulation training that supports traditional methods.

Comparison of Traditional Articulation Therapy and Picture Articulation Test in Children with Articulation Disorders

“…By employing automated error detection techniques, preliminary implementations of BArT have demonstrated its effectiveness and positive reception as a valuable addition to traditional therapy. It improves the consistency and intensity of articulation training, thereby strengthening the impact of conventional approaches (5). Furthermore, it is important to mention that although certain studies support the current findings by demonstrating the effectiveness of traditional methods, there are also differing viewpoints that argue in favour of a more customised approach.…”

“…Articulation, a vital component of communication, involves the transformation of thoughts, ideas, and feelings into speech sounds, forming words, phrases, and sentences (1,2). Articulation disorders, characterized by persistent speech errors beyond the typical developmental age for certain sounds, are marked by limited sound production abilities (3)(4)(5). These disorders manifest in various ways, including slurred or vague verbal communication and the substitution of sounds.…”

Rehabilitation of Patients with Post-Stroke Dysarthria in the Russia and Abroad: a Literature Review

“…Все найденные типы современных (описанных за последние 5 лет) логопедических методик коррекции дизартрии мы можем разделить на: информационнокомпьютерные технологии (computer-based program) [15][16][17], исследования с применением дыхательных упражнений [12,13], исследования транскраниальной магнитной стимуляции [18][19][20][21], транслингвальной стимуляции или нейромышечной электростимуляции лицевого и тройничного нервов [22][23][24], использование акупунктуры [14], различные новые типы артикуляционной гимнастики и функциональных тренировок [25][26][27][28]. Исходя из вышеперечисленных методик, можно сказать, что, повторяя тенденции в двигательной реабилитации, логопедическое сопровождение движется в направлении повышения использования различного оборудования, отмечается рост использования инвазивных методик.…”

“…В обзоре Marjoke Bakker (2019) исследований, касающихся компьютеризированных программ реабилитации пациентов с дизартрией вследствие инсульта и болезни Паркинсона, показаны следующие положительные стороны информационно-компьютерных программ: позволяет подобрать индивидуальный график работы пациента, повысить его мотивацию к выполнению упражнений, преодолеть психологические негативные установки, улучшить артикуляционную сторону речи, звукопроизношения [15].…”