Speech Therapy for Ataxia - An Overview
Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA) is a genetic condition that affects an individual's voluntary functions such as standing, walking, or speaking.
Living with SCA can be physically and emotionally devastating. However, modern medicine has brought in a plethora of rehabilitation methods that can significantly improve quality of life.
Speech therapy helps ataxia patients to speak intelligibly and swallow safely, helping them get the requisite nutrition, while also participating actively in society. Through this blog, let’s understand more about SCA and how speech therapy can benefit SCA patients
Let's understand SCA
Spinocerebellar Ataxia, Spinocerebellar Atrophy, or Spinocerebellar Degeneration is a genetic disease caused by either a recessive or dominant gene.
It
refers to a group of ataxias that cause harm to the cerebellum, the part of the
brain that controls balance and movements.
There are 40 types of SCA discovered so far. Each type is named SCA1, SCA2, and so on. The most common type is SCA3, also known as Machado-Joseph Disease.
Triggers of SCA
The
following can be the triggers or causes of spinocerebellar ataxia:
● Stroke
● Cerebral
palsy
● Autoimmune
diseases like multiple sclerosis, celiac disease, etc
● Vitamin
deficiency (specifically Vitamins E, B-12, thiamin)
● Side
effects of medication (chemotherapy, sedatives, etc)
● Alcoholism
● Viral
infections such as chicken pox
● Head
trauma
● Parkinson’s disease
SCA
can be inherited in an autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive fashion.
Speech-related symptoms of
SCA
Ataxia
patients may experience the following speech-related symptoms:
● Dysphagia
(difficulty in swallowing)
● Dysarthria (slurred speech)
Benefits of speech therapy
for SCA
Dysarthria and dysphagia are two of the most common symptoms of SCA. Nerve signals to the mouth and neck muscles get disrupted as a result of brain damage, leading to slurred speech, softened tone, and difficulty in swallowing.
Speech Therapy can help improve the patient’s speech, communication, and swallowing. A speech and language pathologist (SLP) will devise a plan based on the patient's current abilities and needs. This plan typically involves a variety of exercises to improve control over the muscles in the mouth, jaw, tongue, and throat.
Speech
therapy for SCA could include:
● Speaking slowly so that each word is
intelligible
● Employing breathing techniques to improve
speech quality
● Altering posture while speaking to
maintain an even and audible voice quality
● Playing word games to improve language
processing skills
● Exercises that trigger the swallowing reflex to enable safe swallowing
In advanced cases of SCA, the SLP will help the patient to use speech aids, such as a laptop linked to a voice synthesizer, in order to communicate.
SLPs
also recommend certain dietary changes, and in advanced cases may suggest
including blended foods and meals with soft textures.
At Plexus, we offer a tailored neuro-rehabilitation programme to help manage SCA symptoms, slow disease progression, and improve quality of life.
Apart from speech therapy, our customised rehabilitation programme also includes:
● Physiotherapy to improve muscle strength, overall
stability, core strength, balance, and coordination
● Adaptive devices such as walkers or
wheelchairs to improve balance and enable safe mobility
● Occupational Therapy to help the patient complete daily
activities of living on their own
● Counseling, to help manage the stress of living with a neurological condition
Stem Cell Therapy for SCA uses the patient’s own cells to replace the brain and nerve cells damaged by the disease.
With regular speech therapy, ataxia patients can learn to speak clearly, communicate their needs and feelings, and even safely relish the foods they love. In addition, taking the support of loved ones and engaging in activities one enjoys will help the patient navigate this challenging journey more fruitfully.
Reach out to our team of experienced speech therapists today.
WhatsApp +91 89048 42087
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