To determine whether smartphone-based digital therapy is noninferior to conventional workbook-based therapy in improving speech intelligibility and enhancing quality of life in patients with poststroke dysarthria.
Key Findings:
Digital speech therapy showed comparable effectiveness to conventional therapy in improving speech intelligibility, with specific metrics indicating statistical significance.
Secondary outcomes included improvements in speech function, psychological well-being, usability, and adherence, with notable percentages of participants reporting positive changes.
Digital platforms facilitated high-frequency practice and reduced reliance on clinician involvement, enhancing patient autonomy.
Interpretation:
The study suggests that digital speech therapy is a viable alternative to traditional methods, potentially increasing accessibility and adherence for stroke survivors with dysarthria, which could lead to improved patient outcomes.
Limitations:
The study was limited to participants who could use smartphones and understand Korean, which may affect the applicability of the results to non-Korean speaking populations.
Potential biases in self-reported outcomes and adherence may affect results, highlighting the need for objective measures in future studies.
Conclusion:
Digital speech therapy presents a promising approach to address the unmet needs of stroke survivors with dysarthria, enhancing accessibility and engagement in therapy, which is crucial for improving their quality of life.
