Constrained-Induced Dysarthria Therapy: Case Report

Ann Rehabil Med. 2019 Feb;43(1):115-117. doi: 10.5535/arm.2019.43.1.115. Epub 2019 Feb 28.

Abstract

We describe a 33-year-old woman with chronic bulbar dysarthria after ischemic brainstem stroke who underwent a new form of constraint-induced therapy, namely constraint-induced dysarthria therapy, based on three principles: avoidance of supportive devices, intensive therapy, and gradually augmenting difficulty. After a 2-month intervention, improvement was noted for speech intelligibility, fluency, and intensity. This led to increased communicative participation, including during conversation situations, which has been maintained over a 12-month follow-up.

Keywords: Constraint-induced therapy; Dysarthria; Stroke.