Speech and language therapy for dysarthria due to non-progressive brain damage

Abstract

Background Dysarthria is a common sequel of non‐progressive brain damage (typically stroke and traumatic brain damage). Impairment‐based therapy and a wide variety of compensatory management strategies are undertaken by speech and language therapists with this patient population. Objectives To determine the efficacy of speech and language therapy interventions for adults with dysarthria following non‐progressive brain damage. Search methods This review has drawn on the search strategies developed for the following Cochrane Groups as a whole: Stroke, Injuries, Movement Disorders and Infectious Diseases. Relevant trials were identified in the Specialised Registers of Controlled Trials (see Review Group details for more information). We also searched the trials register of the Cochrane Rehabilitation and Related Therapies Field. The Trials Registers were last searched in December 2001. The Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (Cochrane Library 2002, Issue 1), MEDLINE (1966‐December 2001), EMBASE (1980‐December 2001), CINAHL (1983‐December 2001), PsycINFO (1974‐February 2002) and Linguistics and Language Behavior Abstracts (1983‐October 2001) were searched electronically. We handsearched the International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders (1966‐2002, Issue 1) and selected conference proceedings, and scanned the reference lists of relevant articles. Colleagues were approached to identify other possible published and unpublished studies. Selection criteria Unconfounded randomised controlled trials. Data collection and analysis One reviewer assessed trial quality. Two co‐reviewers were available to examine any potential trials for possible inclusion in the review. Main results No trials of the required standard were identified. Authors' conclusions There is no evidence of the quality required by this review to support or refute the effectiveness of Speech and Language Therapy interventions for dysarthria following non‐progressive brain damage. There is an urgent need for good quality research in this area.