Speech and neuroimaging effects following HiCommunication: a randomized controlled group intervention trial in Parkinson's disease.

Speech, voice and communication changes are common in Parkinson's disease. HiCommunication is a novel group intervention for speech and communication in Parkinson's disease based on principles driving neuroplasticity. In a randomized controlled trial, 95 participants with Parkinson's disease were allocated to HiCommunication or an active control intervention.

Characterization of Mild and Moderate Dysarthria in Parkinson's Disease: Behavioral Measures and Neural Correlates.

Purpose: Alterations in speech and voice are among the most common symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD), often resulting in motor speech disorders such as hypokinetic dysarthria. We investigated dysarthria, verbal fluency, executive functions, and global cognitive function in relation to structural and resting-state brain changes in people with PD.

Methods: Participants with mild-moderate PD ( = 83) were recruited within a randomized controlled trial and divided into groups with varying degrees of dysarthria: no dysarthria (noDPD), mild dysarthria (mildDPD), moderate dysarthria (modDPD), and also combined mildDPD and modDPD into one group (totDPD).

Behavioural and neuroplastic effects of a double-blind randomised controlled balance exercise trial in people with Parkinson's disease.

Balance dysfunction is a disabling symptom in people with Parkinson's disease (PD). Evidence suggests that exercise can improve balance performance and induce neuroplastic effects. We hypothesised that a 10-week balance intervention (HiBalance) would improve balance, other motor and cognitive symptoms, and alter task-evoked brain activity in people with PD.

Using Portable Voice Accumulators to Study Transfer of Speech Outcomes Following Intervention - A Feasibility Study.

Objectives: To evaluate the process and scientific feasibility of using a portable voice accumulator (PVA) to study carry-over of treatment effects on speech and voice in people with mild-moderate Parkinson's disease.

Methods: The study was guided by the checklist in Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) 2010 statement: extension to randomized pilot and feasibility trials. Participants with Parkinson's disease were recruited within the context of a randomized controlled trial with random allocation to intervention with either HiCommunication, a program targeting speech and communication, or HiBalance, a program targeting balance and strength.