Summary
Introduction
Sixty to 90% of patients with idiopathic Parkinson disease (IPD) developed early dysphonia
and subtle speech impairment, which is usually related to orofacial muscular dysfunctions.
The aim of this preliminary study is to assess the usefulness of voice quality and
orofacial strength (involved in speech) as outcome of levodopa challenge test used
for the IPD diagnosis.
Material and Methods
A total of 20 patients with early IPD were recruited and evaluated for clinical findings
(Hoehn and Yahr scale), voice handicap index, maximal phonation time, phonation quotient,
percent jitter, percent shimmer, noise-to-harmonic ratio, and orofacial muscular strength
(Iowa Oral Performance Instrument) at baseline, throughout the levodopa challenge
test and after therapeutic stabilization.
Results
The intake of a standardized dose of levodopa (levodopa challenge test) significantly
improved phonation quotient and percent shimmer. We did not find similar improvement
after medical stabilization of patients (based on levodopa medication) despite an
improvement of Hoehn and Yahr mean score. The intake of levodopa significantly improved
cheeks and lips strength involved in speech quality both along the challenge test
and after the therapeutic stabilization.
Conclusions
These preliminary findings support a differential impact of levodopa on voice and
speech functions in early diagnosed IPD and a mismatch between the clinical examination,
orofacial strength, and voice quality improvements once the patient is medically stabilized.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 30, 2018
Accepted:
April 4,
2018
Footnotes
Conflict of interest: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
Identification
Copyright
© 2018 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
