Changes in Speech Range Profile Are Associated with Cognitive Impairment.

Background and purpose: The aim of this study was to describe the variations in the speech range profile (SRP) of patients affected by cognitive decline.

Methods: We collected the data of patients managed for suspected voice and speech disorders, and suspected cognitive impairment. Patients underwent an Ear Nose and Throat evaluation and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). To obtain SRP, we asked the patients to read 18 sentences twice, at their most comfortable pitch and loudness as they would do in daily conversation, and recorded their voice on to computer software.

Results: The study included 61 patients. The relationship between the MMSE score and SRP parameters was established. Increased severity of the MMSE score resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the average values of the semitones to the phonetogram, and the medium and maximum sound pressure levels (p<0.001). The maximum predictivity of MMSE was based on the highly significant values of semitones (p<0.001) and the maximum sound pressure levels (p=0.010).

Conclusions: The differences in SRP between the various groups were analyzed. Specifically, the SRP value decreased with increasing severity of cognitive decline. SRP was useful in highlighting the relationship between all cognitive declines tested and speech.