Oral motor movements and swallowing in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1.

Oropharyngeal dysphagia and esophageal motility disorders were found to be the most important causes of aspiration pneumonia in patients with myotonic dystrophy. The purpose of this report was to evaluate clinical characteristics of the oral motor movements and swallowing of individuals with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) using a standardized clinical protocol and surface electromyography (sEMG). Participants were 40 individuals divided in two groups: G1 composed of 20 adults with DM1 and G2 composed of 20 healthy volunteers paired by age and gender to the individuals in G1.

Quality of life of individuals with persistent developmental stuttering.

Background: quality of life.

Aim: to verify the influence of the readiness of speech--regarding affective, behavioral and cognitive reactions--over the life quality of fluent individuals and those with persistent developmental stuttering (PDS).

Method: 40 adults divided in two groups, paired by gender and age.

[Fluency shaping with surface electromyography: a pilot study].

Background: the use of a technological resource in fluency promotion.

Aim: to verify the effectiveness of a stuttering treatment based on the use of surface electromyography (SEMG) exclusively.

Method: participants were four stuttering adults of both genders.