Journal article

Articulatory kinematics in the dysarthria associated with Friedreich's ataxia

JE Folker, BE Murdoch, LM Cahill, KM Rosen, MB Delatycki, LA Corben, AP Vogel

Motor Control | HUMAN KINETICS PUBL INC | Published : 2011

Abstract

Electromagnetic articulography (EMA) was used to investigate the tongue kinematics in the dysarthria associated with Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA). The subject group consisted of four individuals diagnosed with FRDA. Five nonneurologically impaired individuals, matched for age and gender, served as controls. Each participant was assessed using the AG-200 EMA system during six repetitions of the tongue tip sentence Tess told Dan to stay fit and the tongue back sentence Karl got a croaking frog. Results revealed reduced speed measures (i.e., maximum acceleration / deceleration / velocity), greater movement durations and increased articulatory distances for the approach phases of consonant product..

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Grants

Funding Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the participants for their valuable contribution. This project was funded by a research grant from the Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA), USA, and the Friedreich's Ataxia Research Association, Australasia. MBD is an NHMRC Practitioner Fellow.