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Semin Speech Lang 2017; 38(03): 161-172
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1602835
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Dysarthria of Spinal Cord Injury and Its Management

Deanna Britton
1   Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Portland State University (PSU), Portland, Oregon
2   Northwest Center for Voice and Swallowing, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, Oregon
,
Jeannette D. Hoit
3   Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, University of Arizona (UA), Tucson, Arizona
,
Joshua O. Benditt
4   Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC), Seattle, Washington
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

Publication Date:
15 June 2017 (online)

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Abstract

The dysarthria associated with spinal cord injury (SCI) is characterized by speech impairments that reflect respiratory dysfunction and its downstream effects on phonation, articulation, and prosody. The exact nature of the dysarthria is determined in large part by the level of SCI and whether or not diaphragm function is spared. Individuals with insufficient diaphragm strength to breathe on their own must rely on ventilator support, which may help or hinder speech, depending on a variety of ventilator-related variables. This article provides a conceptual review of the underlying pathophysiology and effects of respiratory muscle weakness on speech produced with and without mechanical ventilation. Selected multidisciplinary interventions for the dysarthria of SCI are also reviewed.

Keywords

Spinal cord injury (SCI) - nontraumatic spinal cord injury (NTSCI) - dysarthria - respiration - speech - mechanical ventilation
 

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