Efficacy of Digital Speech Therapy for Poststroke Dysarthria: Randomized Noninferiority Trial
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By
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Yuyoung Kim
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Minjung Kim
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Saebyeol Kim
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Jinwoo Kim
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Joon-Ho Shin
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Yoonkyung Chang
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Ji Young Na
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JungWan Kim
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Tae-Jin Song
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May 18, 2026
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Clinical Scorecard: Effectiveness of Digital Speech Therapy in Treating Dysarthria Following Stroke: A Randomized Noninferiority Study
At a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|
| Condition | Poststroke Dysarthria |
| Key Mechanisms | Impairments in articulation, phonation, prosody, resonance, and respiration affecting speech intelligibility. |
| Target Population | Adults aged 19 years or older with dysarthria caused by first-ever stroke. |
| Care Setting | Multicenter stroke centers in South Korea. |
Key Highlights
- 22%-60% of stroke survivors experience motor speech disorders, including dysarthria.
- Digital speech therapy offers an alternative to conventional face-to-face therapy.
- The study compares smartphone-based digital therapy to workbook-based therapy.
- Participants included adults with mild-to-moderate or severe dysarthria.
- The trial aims to evaluate speech intelligibility and broader therapeutic impacts.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
- Confirm dysarthria diagnosis via stroke specialist assessment.
- Use the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale for severity scoring.
Management
- Implement behavioral speech therapy as the standard treatment.
- Consider digital speech therapy for improved access and adherence.
Monitoring & Follow-up
- Assess speech intelligibility and patient-reported outcomes regularly.
Risks
- Exclude patients with aphasia or other neurological conditions affecting speech.
Patient & Prescribing Data
Adults with first-ever stroke and confirmed dysarthria.
Digital therapy can enhance practice frequency and reduce clinician dependency.
Clinical Best Practices
- Ensure neurologically stable condition before therapy initiation.
- Facilitate access to therapy for patients with geographic or financial barriers.
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