Measuring and Training Speech-Language Pathologists' Orofacial Cueing: A Pilot Demonstration

J Healthc Eng. 2018 Dec 31:2018:4323046. doi: 10.1155/2018/4323046. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Tactile-kinesthetic-proprioceptive (TKP) input used to facilitate speech motor control is considered an active ingredient within speech motor interventions. Objective metrics identifying skill level differences across speech-language pathologists (S-LP) providing TKP cues are crucial for monitoring treatment delivery fidelity. The study examined three kinematic measures indicating accuracy and consistency of TKP inputs by 3 S-LPs with varying experience levels (S-LP 1: novice; S-LP 2 and S-LP 3: advanced). Confidence interval measures were used to compare the accuracy of jaw movement amplitudes of the vowel /a/ made by a model participant versus S-LPs giving the TKP input. Generalised Orthogonal Procrustes Analysis (GPA) and cyclic Spatial Temporal Index (cSTI) were used to determine movement consistency. Results revealed passive jaw excursions induced by S-LP 2 and 3 to be not statistically significant from the model participant's active jaw movements. cSTI values decreased with advanced level of experience (19.28, 12.14, and 9.33 for S-LP 1, S-LP 2, and S-LP 3, respectively). GPA analyses revealed a similar pattern for S-LPs with more experience demonstrating lower mean RMS values (0.22, 0.03, and 0.11 for S-LP 1, S-LP 2, and S-LP 3, respectively). Findings suggest kinematic measures adapted from the motor control literature can be applied to assess S-LP skill differences in providing TKP cues.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Educational Measurement
  • Female
  • Health Personnel / education*
  • Health Personnel / standards
  • Humans
  • Jaw / physiology
  • Mouth / physiology
  • Pilot Projects
  • Speech / physiology
  • Speech Therapy / education*
  • Speech Therapy / standards
  • Speech-Language Pathology / education*
  • Young Adult