chapter
Examination of Motor Speech Disorders
‘Haver OUTUNE
a odin
voor spech eaminati
spsech problem as newnologe and thon
ie diagness The ifleences
pies ae hat sph tye
Il that spec
ically
the only detestable nour
agnosis mss pit hac
fenttive disease diagnosis, Speceh examination is
‘huis an important componcitof' many. neunoaie
This chapter discusses he examination of speech
in people with sinpecied motor speech divers
(MSDs. eis nocthe intent here to discuss the ine
Petation application of examination findings ta
slxgnesis or management, beyond some istrative
‘examples. ‘The relationship between examination
results and speci speech digenone sakes in
«sich chapter on spect MSDs (Chapters 4 1)
si in Chaptr 8 Phen
ionship of examination re
uduossed in Chapter 16
[PURPOSES OF MOTOR SPEECH
EXAMINATION,
The motor specch examination ret several gots
* thal are evant to diagno. Diller
‘ollen pursed simultanouty but they
ed al sequenced in may that helps
ive the ati tal mabe up the examin
alk include destino. estasing ig,
sablishing 3 diagnos eta
ns For kvazation and sean
Description
sara’ nd fon70__ Substrates
cannot establish a diagnosis or even a limite lis of
‘iagnontie possibilities, The bases for description
Aerive from the pation’ history and description of
the problem, the oral mechanism exanination, the
perceptual chiactenstis of speech and rests of
andar linia tess, aa instrumental analyses oF
speech
‘Once speech is described, the elinician asks i the
haricterisicn ae nomnal or abnormal This fs the
Fist step in diagnosis and an imporant one. I all
aspect of spocch re within the range of normal, the
agnosis 1 normal speech, If some aspects of
Speech are abnormal, then their meaning must be
Imerpreted. The process of narowing diagnostic
possbilies and arrivine at a specie diagnosis is
Known as diferenial diagnosis
Establishing Diagnostic Possibilities
speech i abnormal, then alist of diagnostic pos
siblties can be generated. Because the empliasis
here is on MSDs, the ist ean grow out of ansivers
questions such as the following
1. the problem neurologic?
2. the problem isnot neurologic, sit nonethe
less organic? For example, it de to dental
for occlusal abnormality. mass lesion of the
laryns, or ist payehogeni?
3. IF the problem is or is not neurologic, is it
recently aeguited or longstanding? For
fxample, might it reflect unresolved devel.
‘opmental stuttering. articulation disorder, of
language disaily?
4. Tete problems nourlogi, i tam MSD or
another neurologic disorder that is aflecting
‘verbal expression (eg. aphasia, dementia,
kinetic usm) Iran MSD is present, ii
a dysarthria or aprasia of speech?
S._dysartn is present, what i its ype?
Establishing a Diagnosis
Once all reasonable diggnostic possibilities fave
heen recognized, a single diagnosis may et
atthe least the possibilities may be ond
most to leas ikl. For example, concdng that
speech is not normal, that it 8 not psyehogenic in
‘ongin and that i sara but of uetermined
type, is of diagnostic vale. I implies the existence
fof an organic process and places the lesion within
‘motor components of the nervous system, I also
fan be concluded thatthe dysarthria mot lac,
then the lesion is further localize to he venta and
not the peripheral nervous system and ern ne
rologie diagnoses can be climinated of consuered
Unlikely. I the characterises of the sender are
unambiguous and compatible with only single
diagnosis, then a single speech ditgnosis can be
iiven along with is implication fr localization
Establishing Implications for
Localization and Disease Diagnosis
When an MSD is idemied, itis appropriate wo
aeess explicitly is implications for neurologic
localization especially if the releral source is uni
iillar with the method of lasification. For
{example if spastic dysarthria isthe diagnosis its
propriate sate that the disorder is Usa a0
‘ated wth bilateral involvement of upper motor
neuron (UMN) pathways. Ifa tentative neurologic
thiagnoss has aleady heen made, is appropriate 0
adress the compatibility of the speech diagnosis
‘vith it For example, ifthe working neurolosie dag
hosis is Parkinson's disease but the patient hit
mixed spasic-atnie dysarthria, itis important 10
Fepor that this mixed dysarthria is not compatible
With Parkinson's disease. Finally. if- neurologic
iagnosis is uncertain ori speech isthe only sign
fof disease, i is appropriate to dently: posible
Siagnoses ifthe MSD fs “classically” ted to them,
For example. a faced dysarthria that emerges
only with specch ste testing and recovers with
rest has a very sttng association with myasthenia
‘Specifying Severity
‘The soverity of a MSD should always be estimated,
‘This estimate is important fora east three reasons:
(4) subjective or abjective measures of severity ean
toe matched! against the patient's complaints: gross
rismatches berween patient ad clinician judgment
‘ay inte the possiblity of psychogenic conti
hhuuons, poor insight. oF timited concern about
speech on the patient’ put: (2) i inluences prog
nosis and management decision making: (3) severity
‘estimates the time of inital examination represent
hascline data against which future changes ean be
compared
‘Specifying severity is atally pat of the descrip
tive proces. It is highlighted re because of rel
fevance 10 estimating fonction, Tmitations and
Aisabilty imposed BY the MSD.” ax apposed
‘determining the presence of impairments which i
tore relevant to diagnosis: Limitations and dsai
ity are more relevant wo decisions abot management
than diagnos
‘Once severity s established, i is appropriate to
ares the implications ofthe findings Tor progoo-
sisand management. These are considered in Chap
ters 16 (0 20,
Chapter 3_ Examination of Motor Speech Disorders 71
ex GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR
EXAMINATION
‘The motor speech examination Is thee essential
procedural components: (1) history. (2) entiation
Sr saliea speech features, and (3) Mentifieation of
ontnmatory signs, With ths information. digi
Sis is made. recommendations. formulated, and
results communicated tothe patient referring pro-
fessional and others
History
‘An anonymous sage has sa hat 90% of neurologic
“isgnonn depends onthe patent's history" A wise
‘euislogy colleague of the author his aid that most
‘inca Neurologic diagnoses are based on speech,
biter its conten or ifs manner of expression. It
‘would be dificult to argue thatthe spoken history
provided by dhe patent 5 less important to motor
fheech evaluation and diagnosis,
Experienced clinicians often reach a diagnosis by
the time pretings and amenities ave been
fxchanged “anda history bined. Subsequent
formal examination coats, documents, refines,
sind sometimes revises the diagnosis. The history
fveals the time course of complains and the
Potion’ observations about the disorder. also pats
ontextual speech on display when ancy is gence
ally less than during formal examination when
piysial effort ask comprehension and cooperation
$= no esentl: and when the patent may not fee
Iis over speech i the sujet of seating
Sallent Features
Salient features are those that contribute most
‘directly and influential to diagnosis, They ince
“oviant speech characteristics and their presumed
neuromuscular substrates. In 1975 Darley. Aronson,
nd Brown (DAB) discussed six salient neuroma
‘ular features that influence speech pedcton. They
Form a usefl Framework for integrating observations
nade during examination. They include strength,
Speed of movement ange of movement steadiness,
tone, and accuracy. Abnormalities associated with
tose Features are summarized in Table 1
Senge
Muscles have suflicent strength to perform their
Dorma Tanctions, plus reserve of excess strength,
Reserve strength permits comiraction over tie
without excessive Ttigve, a8 well a contraction
‘When a muscle is weak, it cannot contact to a
ested level sometimes even for bie periods. I
‘Sven Read, uty conten bt
metines pemescvey
Speed Reseed or vara teed en
akin dyer)
ange Reced or vara pecan
exces ory in hyperenate
Syste)
Steatiness Unsteady, athe etme or armynmic
Tone Ireeneed, doses. vale
Aeteacy —racuti, eer consort or
"reoreioy
ray fatigue more rapidly than norm, Sometimes 3
esi evel of contraction can be oblaned. but
abilty to sustain it decreases dramatically afer &
‘hort time,
"Muscle weakness can affect ll thee ofthe major
speech valves (laryngeal, velopharyngedl, nd ute-
‘latory, and it can be apparent inal components of
speech production (respiration, phonation, reso-
nance, atiulatia, and prosody), Weakness is most
apparent and dramatic in lower mevor neuron (MIN)
‘or fina common pathway (FCP) lesions sn there
fore in Maced dysarhrias. Consequences of can
be interred from poreepual and acoustic analyses,
observed viialy 5 etl dine pec dere
“during al mechanism examination, or messed
physiologialy
Speed
Movements daring spech ate rapid, expecially the
laryngeal. velopbaryngeal, and aticultory moves
ments tha valve expired art produce the spon
mately 14 phonemes per second that characterize
convenational speech, These quick, unsistined,
and discrete movements are known as phasic move
‘ments, They can cocur as single contractions. or
epeivel- They” begin promply, reach targets
|quieky and relax rapidly. Pasi speech movements
fare mediated. primatily though sivectctvation
UMN pathway’ input to alpha motor neurons see
Chapter 2),
[Excessive sped is uncommon ia MSDS, although
it may cccur in hypokinetic dysarthria, Excessive
speek rate in people with dysanhrias nearly always
also associated with decreased range of mation
‘Slow movements are common in MSDs. Move
ments may be sls to st, sls in their course, oF72__ substrates
slow 10 stop or relat. Single as well as repetitive
-mowements may be lo
Reduced speed can occur at all major speech
valves and ding all components of speech peedac
tion. Slow movement strongly affects the prosodic
features of speech becaune norma prosody i 80
dependent om quick muscular ajostments hit in
fence rate of syllable production and pth and lou
ness variabiiy. The ellis of redaved speed are
‘most apparent in spastic dysarthna but aso ae
present in other dysarthria types. The effects of
tered speed can be perceived in speech, visibly
‘apparent during. speech und ral mechanism
fkamination, and measured physiologically and
coastal
ange
‘The distance traveled by speech structures is quite
precise for single and repetitive movements. Vaia~
tion in the range of repetitive movement s nora
‘resent bu ually sll.
Consistent but mappropratly excessive range of
‘motion during voluntary specch i not common in
neurologic disease. In contrast, decreased range is
common and may occur in the context of sow:
ora, or excessively rapid rate For example, hypo-
Kinetic dysrtria is often associated wi decreased
range of mosion and, sometimes, excessively rapid
rate In ater instances. range may be variable and
‘unpredictable. Abnormal arity” in range is
common in ataxic and hyperkinetic dysarvias.
‘Abnormalities in range of mation often have a
‘major influence on the prosodic Features of speceh,
Sometimes” resulting” tn restricted or excessive
prosodic variations. Such abnormalities ean occur at
bof the major speech valves and doing all com
ponents of speech prduction. They canbe infered
from acoustic and perceptual analyses of speech,
‘sie daring spech un nonspeech movements of
‘he anculatrs, and measured physiologically
Steadiness
At rest, there is a measurable 8 to 12 Hz oscillation
ofthe body musculsture During normal movernent
‘Mere ace val no vsileinteraptions or oscil
ins of body parts. but oscillation amplinde some
ives increases o visibly detectable levels in ealthy
people. This visblepysiologi remo can occur in
xtome fatigue, under emotional siress oF daring
Shivering
‘Whet motor steadiness breaks down in neuro-
logic disse, the results can be broadly categorized
involuntary movement or hyperkinesias. Tremor
isthe most common involuntary movement. H con
Sats of repetitive, relatively esti osilations of
«body part. generally ranging in frequeney from 3
to 12 He Tt may occ at rest sting tremor), when
{structure is muintained against gravity (postural
Inemor). during mevement faction tremor) OF
toward the end of a movement terminal rem
‘Mild wemoe may not have any perceptible effect
con spooch chariteistics dependent on respiration,
resonance, or atculation. Ht commonly affects
phonation and, when severe, it can affect prosody:
lseifecs are most easly perceived during sustained
‘vowel pradiction, The effects of tremor on speech
may be heard or seen during speech, may be seen
luring oral mechanism examination, and can be
‘measured physiologically and acoustical
"Another major category of inveluntary movement
consiss af fandom, unpredictable, adventitious
movements that may vary in thei speed duration,
and amplitude. Thee absormal movements inelude
‘trtona, dyskinesia, chorea, and ahetosis. They
‘nay be severe enough 1a inesrupt or alee the digee-
thom of intended movement, They may be present at
est, during sustained postures daring movement
‘They ca affet movement a al ofthe major speech
valves and all components of specch production,
‘They can affect aocuracy and often alter prosody.
‘They are the primary source of absonmal specch in
hyperkinetic dysarthria, The effects of unpre=
Aicable"hyperkinesis can be perecived during
speech seen during speech and! oral mechanism
‘tamination, measured physiologiealy snd feted
From acoustic measinemcnts
Tone
Muscle tone is discussed in Chapter 2. The gamma
Toop and indzet activation pathway are eri for
proper maintenance of tone, which erates a stable
Framework upon which rapid voluntary movements
an be superimposed
Tn nearoogic disease, muscle roae may be exees-
sive or reduced. Itmay fluctuate slowly of rapidly in
4 regular or unpredictable fasion. Alterations in
fone may occur ata spech valves and daring all
components of speech production. Abnormal tone is
‘sssoiated with acid dysartrias when consistently
reduced, with spastic o hypokineie dysarthria when
Consistently increased,” and with hyperkinetic
Asaavas when arable. The effec of born
tone can be infeed from perceptual speech charac-
terns, seen during spetsh and oral mechanism
‘xamination, measured physiologically, and infeed
From acoustic measurements
Accurcy
Individual, repetitive, complex sound sequences are
normally executed with enough precision fo ene
Chapter 3_ amination of Motor Speech Disorders 73
ineligible and effcien ansmisson of igus
{nd cmotonl meaning They res fom reeset
Gf tone, strength, speed, ange. eadness, ant
Sining OF muscle acy "Prom his. tpn,
‘Svuraey isthe ouone of weltimed an! cord
fate ates ofall he oer neuroma fa
fires Ifswengh sped range, sean nd toe
fave bean procly regulated, speech movements
wibe accra I spec conan inca
Desronmseular perfomance formal posible
tha the ng plan rational content dee
tv, lacing the sauce ote problem outs oth
tow pena erative explanation shat the
bem erin the Panning or programing. of
‘ovement an nti neomuscuar ecco
Inacerteovernnts can rest in varous
spstch emer. For example, i foge an range of
oon ae eacensive, smeies may overioat
tget Io and ange of ton a deceased
target undersoting may cea ming is pooch
{irecton and mths of movements ay be
fol andthe shyt of repetitive movements ay
‘emsnaned poy
Inaceatetovemets resulting from consantly
essen defects of aength speed ange, and fone
fay reskin pedicle depres of acute
Inpression or Otber speech borates It the
foures of naccracy Hes in Untag orn une:
dictate variations in other neuroma compo
nent, emors muy Be unpeeictable, anda or
Inaccurate movements may occur at ll of the
iajr speech aves and ata eves of spss pr
ction bt ave senrallypetcived ont cai In
‘Src and psn Taceray a occu in al
jaca, bat when i ete rest of eae
timing or cooninaton, ts lly sociated th
sta data or pans of speech, When aoc
ted wih arom or unpredictable ivory var
dons in movement i efen rect Rypedinis
dean
1 should be apparent tht the sen neurmus-
colar features of movement iter and nen
ich other For example reed set lly
‘scold with eed tone, age of maton, act
‘acy. an sometimes stains There ore
21 tone is usally assoc wih edad or
“arale speed range of mato, Sealine,
accuracy Reduoed ange of motion ir asciaed
‘ith vans n sped, toe, and aca. are
‘hat ota single abnormal neomascular fone
1s presem t someone wih deri
Confirmatory Signs
Confrmatory signs are addtional clues about the
locaton of pathology inthe nervous system. In the
context of speech examination, they ae signs other
than ceviant speech characteris and the alent
neuromuscular features that characterize them that
help suppor the speech diagnosis or icteasecont-
dencein it. MSD diagnosis does nt require that con
firmatory signs be present. Therefore observations
‘of anonspeech nature. even if ofthe speech muscles,
Imust 3e_ considered cicunstantial(confimatory)
{evidence ac not salient. Nonetheless, they ea be
helpful in establishing a diagnosis
Coafinatory signs can be manifest i speech or
nonspeech muscles, Examples of eonfirmatny signs
within the speec system ae atrophy, redaced tone,
fasciculations, poorly inhibited laughter or crying,
reduced poral reflexes or the presence of patho”
logic eles, andthe strength of the cough Ris
import to Keep in mind that Such signs ate not
‘iagnostic of MSDs. For example. ing fascial
ions. without any perceivable impairment of Hing
aniculation, would not warant diagnose of
sari. fe might reflect x lesion on nerve XI ad
require farther investigation, but a diagnosis of
dysarthria would eguie the presence of a peeepli-
be speech deci.
‘Corfrmatory signs from the nonspesch motor
system come from observations of gait, muscle
stretch reflexes, superficial and pathologic reflexes,
hyperactive limb reese, limi trophy’ and faci
Iakions difficulty initiating limb mewemens, and x0
fon. They also include observations of strength,
‘peel, curacy. tone steanes. and range of move
ments n nonspeech muscles
CConmatory signs are discussed within each
chapter om the speiie dysrtving and apeain of
Speech and aso. brietly during the Tollowing
overview of the mor spech examination,
Interpretation of Findings—Diagnosis
‘Once the history and salen speech Features and con-
fimatry signs have Been established, they are inte
rated fo formulate an impression about ther
‘meaning. This constitutes diagnosis
‘Nocxamination i complete without am atempt to
establish the meaning of ts findings." Tis reason.
bl to state as principle that when the results ofa
fxaminaion cannot go beyond description, the
reasons why should be sated explicit The abvence
i interpretation represents an assem
‘valuable medial information and ean74__subseates
convey an impression tht although a patient has
teen assessed, perhaps thoroughly the rests have
been neither inerpreted nor unersood. This ean
Tead «oan interpretation by refer sources that
speech-language pathology does not contibute 10
the localization a understanding of =pocch, hn
‘zig, and communication disorders.
“The manner in which diagnostic statements are
expressed i invenced bythe examination ndings
pl the intends purposes ofthe evaluation eB
provide an opinicn aout the nature of the speech
Tehcit to a neurologist who is uncertain about the
neurologic diagnosis; lo determine the nature and
‘every of an MSD forthe purpose of management
planning), The stength or certainty of diagnostic
Statements can vary considerably. In some cases
Fings may he so ambiguous tat dey justify ony
statement that the diagnose uncertain, fa others,
they may jasiy formulation of diagnostic posi-
bites, petaps inorder fom mos to least likly 19
sill ethers, they may’ permit astaement about shat
the disorder is not. And some permit confidenly
ated, unambiguous” diagnosis. Finally findings
Sometimes—perhipe often 10 combination
fof some of the proceding possibiliis, such as "the
Patent hasan unambignos spastic dysarthria, po
Sibly with an_sceonpanying. ataxic component
‘There is no evidence of aprania of speech” The
proces of fferential diagnosis is discussed in detail
sm Chapter 15
{Ea THE MOTOR SPEECH EXAMINATION
‘The motor speech examigation canbe divided ita
four parts (1) history: (2) examination of the ora
mechanism during nonspeech activities: (3) asess-
ent of perceptual speech characteristics: and (3)
assessment of intelibli,comprehensibility, and
fffciency. Instrumental analyses using acoustic
Plysiologic or visual imaging methods may also be
pat ofthe clinical examination, but in general they
fre not essential, Their une during various portions
Of the examination fs noted when appropriate
History
‘The history provides hase inrmation about the
‘onset and course ofthe problem, the patient's aware
hess impairment, ahd the degree 0" which the
problem lite basi activities or reduces partici
tion in various aspects of Hie. The spoken history
tko puts on display the salient Features, comma
tony sigs, and severity ofthe problem.
‘No two histris are the same, andthe specific
questions tha elicit histories will vary considerably
is approached
include patients’ cognitive ability and personality,
‘whether ot not they poreive a problem, what has
already been establisied by other professionals, and
the seventy of the speech deficit IF paints have
cognitive limitations, significa reduced itelligh
bay, or an naoquaie augmenttive means of
‘munication. or Hf they donot perceive a. speech
‘etc then the history from them may be Limited
IW the etiology and tine course are already know,
they noed not he pursued beyond confirmation. The
history sometimes must be provided or supple
‘mented by someone who Koows the patient wel
History taking should usualy be concolled by the
clinician and not the patent, with questions and their
Sequence strony influenced by the facts provided
by the patient ad by tele manner of doing 0.
“The format of history taking often includes the
following
Introduction ond Goal Seting
nce hsic amenities have been exchanged, the
examination can often begin with a simple ut
Jmponant question, "Why are you here?” Some rep-
resentative reponses include "0 find ou what's
‘wrong with mer” "%o find out what's rom with my
speech." find out if you can help me with my
sSpocch" "because my doctor tld me to come here.”
“here's nothing wrong with me," don’t kre
why they brought me here!” The answers are
fan index of pens” orientation, awareness, nd
sncernahout their speceh the priority they place on
their speech versus other aspects oftheir ess he
relative importance to them of diagnosis versus man
Sgzment: their ability to provide a histor the depth
Sind manner in which the history wil have to be
taken: and the acta seve ofthe speech disorder
“Tis troduction also allows the clini to inform,
the patient abo
and management
fe purposes and proceres of
ts place in ehcr ovcral evaluation
Basie Dato
‘Age. education, oeupation, and marital and faily
Stas shold be noted. Ii important to establish i
there wae a history of childhood speech, lange
hearing dit if treatment for those problems was
rnecessry an if they had resolved before the current
itness began, This i essential when abooemaites
tue inconsistent with other carent mic findings
hut could be longstanding or developmental in
nature The most common longstanding. speech
‘efcts encountered in adults with suspected neuro
logic disease are persisting developmental aticla-
tion errors, articulatory distortions associated ith
‘ental or clus abnormalities, and developmental
storing
Chapter 3_txaminalion of Motor Speech Disorders 75
Const and Course
Information about the onset and course of the speech