Longitudinal objective assessment of speech in Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Background: Remote objective tests may supplement in-clinic examination to better inform treatment decisions. Previous cross-sectional studies presented objective speech metrics as potential markers of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) disease progression. Objective: To examine the short-term stability and long-term sensitivity of speech metrics to MS progression. Methods: We prospectively recorded speech from people with MS at baseline, six, twelve weeks, and at ten months or longer after baseline (1y+). Only people with a definite diagnosis of MS and without other potential causes of dysarthria were included. Speech tasks comprehended 1) a sustained vowel /a/, 2) saying the days of the week, 3) repe..