Motor Speech Profile, Model 5141

Motor Speech Profile (MSP), Model 5141, extracts and analyzes speech parameters relevant to motor disordered speech. MSP provides protocols for eliciting the specific speech sample, extracting the desired parameters, displaying the results of analysis in numeric and graphic formats, and generating a summary report.

Characterizing Motor Speech

Many parameters are needed to characterize motor disordered speech. MSP evokes built-in protocols for different tasks (e.g., syllabic rate, sustained phonation, diadochokinesis, etc.) to extract these separate parameters. For example, distorted vowels are often characterized by neutralized second formant positions and abnormal second formant transitions. MSP sets up tasks to measure and assess this behavior. Similarly, diadochokinetic rate (DDK) and periodicity of DDK have been shown to be closely associated with articulator mobility. MSP complements the speech professional’s well-trained ear by systematically and objectively analyzing many speech parameters.

Reporting

MSP summarizes the numerical results and presents them as a report so that changes over time can be more easily examined. This report includes a graphic analysis with the patient’s results plotted against normal values so that the examiner can quickly see how a patient compares. It also integrates the results of analyses acquired with separate programs. For example, the nasalance measurements generated from the Nasometer can be integrated into the final report. These reports substantiate patient progress and the efficacy of the treatment plan.

Motor Speech Profile generates a comprehensive report in both numerical and graphic format. The figure above shows DDK and Second Formant Transition analysis with norms and STD in numerical format. The  numbers and the graphic  comparison to the database of normals are generally  printed  in a report.

Use of Standardized Speech Tasks

MSP uses defined tasks and articulatory “exercises” to test for motor speech disorders. Just as heart stress-testing is designed to stress the cardiovascular system, MSP protocols are demanding of a patient’s motor speech skills. In many cases, this speech “stress” test can reveal motor speech problems before these problems are detectable in normal running speech.

Customizable

Sona-Match is delivered with target vowels and display selections. However, all settings can be altered by user and stored as user setups. Each client can have a vowel table configured for their voice.

Motor Speech has separate protocols to  elicit 
specific speech tokens that are  automatically analyzed 
by the program.

Built-in Protocols

Extensive analysis programs are included for all aspects of motor speech analysis. Each protocol provides the patient with the appropriate verbal prompts and examples. The protocol automates the acquisition, analysis, and graphical reporting to facilitate quick and easy implementation of these tests.

The protocols yield a graph of the subject's  performance. The yellow area is + or - 1 STD.  The olive line shows  results within 1 STD and the  red line shows results outside 1 STD. Numerical  results for average norm and subject's extracted parameter are also displayed. This protocol, for Second Formant Analysis, is very revealing of many motor speech problems.

Motor Speech Profile provides built-in  protocols to extract parameters relevant  to assessing motor disordered speech. These results are then graphically plotted  against a database of normal subjects to  provide a quick graphical representation of  speech performance. The numerical and graphical results are combined for printing  a report. The subject above has slightly diminished second formant transition magnitudes  indicating a tendency to neutralize vowels. 

Features

• Excellent clinical tool for assessment of motor speech functions
• Built-in protocols to perform common clinical tasks
• Comprehensive graphic and numerical information for reports

Interpreting Motor Speech Results

Kay conducted a series of research studies in order to select the most revealing tasks, the normative range of the extracted parameters, and their sensitivity to motor speech dysfunction. Reports on these studies are included with the program.

A portion of the screen for the DDK protocol is 
displayed. Note the green bracket showing
extracted DDK period in Window B and
amplitude trace of DDK in red with amplitude 
modulation.

Summary

Motor Speech Profile “exercises” and tests a subject’s motor speech functions. It provides easy-to-use, built-in protocols and sophisticated analysis algorithms to produce comprehensive reports including graphic displays and numerical analysis.

• Analysis-Synthesis Laboratory (ASL), Model 5104

• Applied Speech Science for Dysarthrias, Model 5153

• Applied Speech Science for Voice & Resonance Disorders, Model 5156

• Auditory Feedback Tools, Model 3506

• Disordered Voice Database, Model 4337

• Games, Model 5167

• Motor Speech Profile, Model 5141

• Multi-Dimensional Voice Program, Model 5105

• Neuroscience for Human Communications, Model 5155

• Palatometer Database, Model 4333

• Phonetic & Perception Simulation Programs, Model 5151

• Phonetic Database, Model 4332

• Real-Time EGG Analysis, Model 5138

• Real-Time Pitch, Model 5121

• Real-Time Spectrogram, Model 5129

• Respiration, Phonation and Prosody Simulation, Model 5152

• Signal Enhancement Program, Model 5142

• Sona-Match, Model 5127

• Speech Articulation: Animation of Muscle Vectors, Model 5154

• Video Phonetics Program and Database, Model 5150

• Voice Range Profile, Model 4326 

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