Speech intelligibility in people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate speech intelligibility and dysarthria, correlated to the functional assessment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Methods: Quantitative-descriptive study approved by REC under No. CAAE 62912416.4.0000.5404, comprised of 19 individuals with sporadic or familiar ALS. Data were collected using the Dysarthria Protocol and the Revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-Re). We used visual analogue scale (VAS) to assess speech intelligibility and summary measures; and Spearman’s coefficients of correlation for the instruments with significance level of 5%. Results: Speech intelligibility is compromised (41.37±39.73) in varied degrees with positive correlation with the general degree of dysarthria (p=