Friday 21 September 2012

Idiopathic Parkinson's disease: vocal and quality of life analysis


Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2012 Sep;70(9):674-9.

Silva LF, Gama AC, Cardoso FE, Reis CA, Bassi IB.

Source
UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.

Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To compare voice and life quality of male patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease, with individuals without disease (Control Group).
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study that evaluated the voice of individuals with Parkinson's disease, the group was composed of 27 subjects, aged from 39 to 79 years-old (average 59.96). The Control Group was matched on sex and age. Participants underwent voice recording. Perceptual evaluation was made using GRBASI scale, which considers G as the overall degree of dysphonia, R as roughness, B as breathiness, A as asthenia, S as strain and I as instability. The acoustic parameters analyzed were: fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, and harmonic to noise ratio (NHR). For vocal self-perception analysis, we used the Voice Related Quality of Life protocol.
RESULTS:
Fundamental frequency and jitter presented higher values in the Parkinson's group. NHR values were higher in the Control Group. Perceptual analysis showed a deviation ranging. The vocal disorder self-perception demonstrated a worse impact on quality of life.
CONCLUSIONS:
Individuals with Parkinson's disease have an altered voice quality and a negative impact on quality of life.

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