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Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Nov 2023Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit atypical speech-in-noise (SiN) perception, but the scope of these impairments has not been clearly defined. We... (Review)
Review
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit atypical speech-in-noise (SiN) perception, but the scope of these impairments has not been clearly defined. We conducted a systematic review of the behavioural research on SiN perception in ASD, using a comprehensive search strategy across databases (Embase, Pubmed, Web of Science, APA PsycArticles, LLBA, clinicaltrials.gov and PsyArXiv). We withheld 20 studies that generally revealed intact speech perception in stationary noise, while impairments in speech discrimination were found in temporally modulated noise, concurrent speech, and audiovisual speech perception. An association with auditory temporal processing deficits, exacerbated by suboptimal language skills, is shown. Speech-in-speech perception might be further impaired due to deficient top-down processing of speech. Further research is needed to address remaining challenges and gaps in our understanding of these impairments, including the developmental aspects of SiN processing in ASD, and the impact of gender and social attentional orienting on this ability. Our findings have important implications for improving communication in ASD, both in daily interactions and in clinical and educational settings.
Topics: Humans; Speech Perception; Autistic Disorder; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Speech; Auditory Perception
PubMed: 37797728
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105406 -
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease : JAD 2023Semantic and Phonological fluency (SF and PF) are routinely evaluated in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). There are disagreements in the literature regarding... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Semantic and Phonological fluency (SF and PF) are routinely evaluated in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). There are disagreements in the literature regarding which fluency task is more affected while developing AD. Most studies focus on SF assessment, given its connection with the temporoparietal amnesic system. PF is less reported, it is related to working memory, which is also impaired in probable and diagnosed AD. Differentiating between performance on these tasks might be informative in early AD diagnosis, providing an accurate linguistic profile.
OBJECTIVE
Compare SF and PF performance in healthy volunteers, volunteers with probable AD, and patients with AD diagnosis, considering the heterogeneity of age, gender, and educational level variables.
METHODS
A total of 8 studies were included for meta-analysis, reaching a sample size of 1,270 individuals (568 patients diagnosed with AD, 340 with probable AD diagnosis, and 362 healthy volunteers).
RESULTS
The three groups consistently performed better on SF than PF. When progressing to a diagnosis of AD, we observed a significant difference in SF and PF performance across our 3 groups of interest (p = 0.04). The age variable explained a proportion of this difference in task performance across the groups, and as age increases, both tasks equally worsen.
CONCLUSION
The performance of SF and PF might play a differential role in early AD diagnosis. These tasks rely on partially different neural bases of language processing. They are thus worth exploring independently in diagnosing normal aging and its transition to pathological stages, including probable and diagnosed AD.
Topics: Humans; Semantics; Alzheimer Disease; Verbal Behavior; Neuropsychological Tests; Linguistics
PubMed: 37482994
DOI: 10.3233/JAD-221272 -
Systematic Reviews Jul 2023We systematically reviewed the literature and performed a meta-analysis on the effects of speech therapy and phonosurgery, for transgender women, in relation to the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
We systematically reviewed the literature and performed a meta-analysis on the effects of speech therapy and phonosurgery, for transgender women, in relation to the fundamental frequency gain of the voice, regarding the type of vocal sample collected, and we compared the effectiveness of the treatments. In addition, the study design, year, country, types of techniques used, total therapy time, and vocal assessment protocols were analyzed.
METHODS
We searched the PubMed, Lilacs, and SciELO databases for observational studies and clinical trials, published in English, Portuguese, or Spanish, between January 2010 and January 2023. The selection of studies was carried out according to Prisma 2020. The quality of selected studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale.
RESULTS
Of 493 studies, 31 were deemed potentially eligible and retrieved for full-text review and 16 were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Six studies performed speech therapy and ten studies phonosurgery. The speech therapy time did not influence the post-treatment gain in voice fundamental frequency (p = 0.6254). The type of sample collected significantly influenced the post-treatment voice frequency gain (p < 0.01). When the vocal sample was collected through vowel (p < 0.01) and reading (p < 0.01), the gain was significantly more heterogeneous between the different types of treatment. Phonosurgery is significantly more effective in terms of fundamental frequency gain compared to speech therapy alone, regardless of the type of sample collected (p < 0.01). The average gain of fundamental frequency after speech therapy, in the /a/ vowel sample, was 27 Hz, 39.05 Hz in reading, and 25.42 Hz in spontaneous speech. In phonosurgery, there was a gain of 71.68 Hz for the vowel /a/, 41.07 Hz in reading, and 39.09 Hz in spontaneous speech. The study with the highest gain (110 Hz) collected vowels, and the study with the lowest gain (15 Hz), spontaneous speech. The major of the included studies received a score between 4 and 8 on the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.
CONCLUSION
The type of vocal sample collected influences the gain result of the fundamental frequency after treatment. Speech therapy and phonosurgery increased the fundamental frequency and improved female voice perception and vocal satisfaction. However, phonosurgery yielded a greater fundamental frequency gain in the different samples collected. The study protocol was registered at Prospero (CRD42017078446).
Topics: Female; Humans; Speech Therapy; Transgender Persons; Speech; Voice; Databases, Factual
PubMed: 37481572
DOI: 10.1186/s13643-023-02267-5 -
American Journal of Speech-language... May 2015This systematic review and meta-analysis critically evaluated the research evidence on the effectiveness of conversational recasts in grammatical development for... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
This systematic review and meta-analysis critically evaluated the research evidence on the effectiveness of conversational recasts in grammatical development for children with language impairments.
METHOD
Two different but complementary reviews were conducted and then integrated. Systematic searches of the literature resulted in 35 articles for the systematic review. Studies that employed a wide variety of study designs were involved, but all examined interventions where recasts were the key component. The meta-analysis only included studies that allowed the calculation of effect sizes, but it did include package interventions in which recasts were a major part. Fourteen studies were included, 7 of which were also in the systematic review. Studies were grouped according to research phase and were rated for quality.
RESULTS
Study quality and thus strength of evidence varied substantially. Nevertheless, across all phases, the vast majority of studies provided support for the use of recasts. Meta-analyses found average effect sizes of .96 for proximal measures and .76 for distal measures, reflecting a positive benefit of about 0.75 to 1.00 standard deviation.
CONCLUSION
The available evidence is limited, but it is supportive of the use of recasts in grammatical intervention. Critical features of recasts in grammatical interventions are discussed.
Topics: Child; Evidence-Based Practice; Humans; Imitative Behavior; Language Development Disorders; Language Therapy; Linguistics; Semantics; Treatment Outcome; Verbal Behavior
PubMed: 25654306
DOI: 10.1044/2015_AJSLP-14-0105 -
Clinical Otolaryngology : Official... Feb 2016The long-term prognosis of hypopharyngeal cancer is poor. Surgery necessitates pharyngolaryngectomy with flap reconstruction. For such patients, it is important that... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Review
BACKGROUND
The long-term prognosis of hypopharyngeal cancer is poor. Surgery necessitates pharyngolaryngectomy with flap reconstruction. For such patients, it is important that functional outcomes are preserved to maintain a respectable quality of life.
OBJECTIVE OF REVIEW
To identify the functional outcomes following pharyngolaryngectomy with respect to quality of life, speech and swallow through a systematic review of literature.
SEARCH STRATEGY
Searches of EBM databases and literature databases using key words: pharyngolaryngectomy, laryngopharyngectomy, swallow, dysphagia, speech and dysphonia from 1970 to August 2014. Articles were screened for relevance using pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria.
EVALUATION METHOD
Articles reviewed by authors and data compiled in tables for analysis.
RESULTS
No previous systematic reviews assessing functional outcomes were identified. Seventeen studies reported speech outcomes (576 patients) and fifteen reported swallow outcomes (1076 patients). The data suggests that patients who underwent trachea-oesophageal puncture developed more favourable speech outcomes than those rehabilitated using other measures. Overall stricture incidence was 11.4% and 6.5% of patients required long-term enteral nutrition. Four studies used validated speech measures, and three used validated swallow measures. They suggest an overall level of perceived impairment in quality of life. Speech and swallow outcomes were significantly poorer than patients who underwent total laryngectomy.
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, there is an impairment in speech and swallow outcomes following pharyngolaryngectomy; however, the exact extent is unclear. There is a need for a general consensus on assessment measures and prospective multicentre studies to be conducted. This study compiles the available data to improve caregiver and patient awareness of functional outcomes.
Topics: Deglutition; Humans; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms; Laryngectomy; Pharyngectomy; Quality of Life; Speech; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 26031311
DOI: 10.1111/coa.12466 -
Comprehensive Psychiatry Oct 2023Converging evidence supports that gaming and gambling disorders are associated with executive dysfunction. The involvement of different components of executive functions... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Converging evidence supports that gaming and gambling disorders are associated with executive dysfunction. The involvement of different components of executive functions (EF) in these forms of behavioural addiction is unclear.
AIM
In a systematic review, we aim to uncover the association between working memory (WM), a crucial component of EF, and disordered gaming and gambling. Note that, in the context of this review, gaming has been used synonymously with video gaming.
METHODS
Adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), we systematically searched for studies published from 2012 onwards.
RESULTS
The search yielded 6081 records after removing duplicates, from which 17 peer-reviewed journal articles were eligible for inclusion. The association between WM and problem or disordered gaming and gambling have been categorized separately to observe possible differences. Essentially, problem gaming or gambling, compared to disorder, presents lesser severity and clinical significance. The results demonstrate reduced auditory-verbal WM in individuals with gambling disorder. Decreased WM capacity was also associated with problem gambling, with a correlation between problem gambling severity and decreased WM capacity. Similarly, gaming disorder was associated with decreased WM. Specifically, gaming disorder patients had lower WM capacity than the healthy controls.
CONCLUSION
Working memory seems to be a significant predictor of gambling and gaming disorders. Therefore, holistic treatment approaches that incorporate cognitive techniques that could enhance working memory may significantly boost gambling and gaming disorders treatment success.
Topics: Humans; Gambling; Memory, Short-Term; Cognition; Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders; Video Games; Behavior, Addictive
PubMed: 37573802
DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2023.152408 -
PloS One 2016Research investigating cognition and behaviour in Sotos syndrome has been sporadic and to date, there is no published overview of study findings. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Research investigating cognition and behaviour in Sotos syndrome has been sporadic and to date, there is no published overview of study findings.
METHOD
A systematic review of all published literature (1964-2015) presenting empirical data on cognition and behaviour in Sotos syndrome. Thirty four journal articles met inclusion criteria. Within this literature, data relating to cognition and/or behaviour in 247 individuals with a diagnosis of Sotos syndrome were reported. Ten papers reported group data on cognition and/or behaviour. The remaining papers employed a case study design.
RESULTS
Intelligence quotient (IQ) scores were reported in twenty five studies. Intellectual disability (IQ < 70) or borderline intellectual functioning (IQ 70-84) was present in the vast majority of individuals with Sotos syndrome. Seven studies reported performance on subscales of intelligence tests. Data from these studies indicate that verbal IQ scores are consistently higher than performance IQ scores. Fourteen papers provided data on behavioural features of individuals with Sotos syndrome. Key themes that emerged in the behavioural literature were overlap with ASD, ADHD, anxiety and high prevalence of aggression/tantrums.
CONCLUSION
Although a range of studies have provided insight into cognition and behaviour in Sotos syndrome, specific profiles have not yet been fully specified. Recommendations for future research are provided.
Topics: Adult; Aggression; Anxiety; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Behavior; Child; Cognition; Humans; Intelligence Tests; Language; Longitudinal Studies; Sotos Syndrome
PubMed: 26872390
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149189 -
Modifications of auditory feedback and its effects on the voice of adult subjects: a scoping review.CoDAS 2023The auditory perception of voice and its production involve auditory feedback, kinesthetic cues and the feedforward system that produce different effects for the voice.... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
The auditory perception of voice and its production involve auditory feedback, kinesthetic cues and the feedforward system that produce different effects for the voice. The Lombard, Sidetone and Pitch-Shift-Reflex effects are the most studied. The mapping of scientific experiments on changes in auditory feedback for voice motor control makes it possible to examine the existing literature on the phenomenon and may contribute to voice training or therapies.
PURPOSE
To map experiments and research results with manipulation of auditory feedback for voice motor control in adults.
METHOD
Scope review following the Checklist Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension (PRISMA-ScR) to answer the question: "What are the investigation methods and main research findings on the manipulation of auditory feedback in voice self-monitoring of adults?". The search protocol was based on the Population, Concept, and Context (PCC) mnemonic strategy, in which the population is adult individuals, the concept is the manipulation of auditory feedback and the context is on motor voice control. Articles were searched in the databases: BVS/Virtual Health Library, MEDLINE/Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System online, COCHRANE, CINAHL/Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, SCOPUS and WEB OF SCIENCE.
RESULTS
60 articles were found, 19 on the Lombard Effect, 25 on the Pitch-shift-reflex effect, 12 on the Sidetone effect and four on the Sidetone/Lombard effect. The studies are in agreement that the insertion of a noise that masks the auditory feedback causes an increase in the individual's speech intensity and that the amplification of the auditory feedback promotes the reduction of the sound pressure level in the voice production. A reflex response to the change in pitch is observed in the auditory feedback, however, with particular characteristics in each study.
CONCLUSION
The material and method of the experiments are different, there are no standardizations in the tasks, the samples are varied and often reduced. The methodological diversity makes it difficult to generalize the results. The main findings of research on auditory feedback on voice motor control confirm that in the suppression of auditory feedback, the individual tends to increase the intensity of the voice. In auditory feedback amplification, the individual decreases the intensity and has greater control over the fundamental frequency, and in frequency manipulations, the individual tends to correct the manipulation. The few studies with dysphonic individuals show that they behave differently from non-dysphonic individuals.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Feedback; Pitch Perception; Voice; Speech; Auditory Perception
PubMed: 38126424
DOI: 10.1590/2317-1782/20232022202pt -
Journal of Anxiety Disorders Mar 2015Inconsistent results in neuropsychological research of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) may be the result of the heterogeneous nature of OCD symptoms. The most... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis Review
Inconsistent results in neuropsychological research of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) may be the result of the heterogeneous nature of OCD symptoms. The most frequently investigated symptoms are contamination/cleaning and doubt/checking. The aim of this review was to determine whether OCD washers and checkers differ in their neuropsychological performance. We conducted a meta-analysis of 13 studies (including 535 patients) comprising tests in 10 different neuropsychological domains. Washers showed significant better task performance than checkers in 8 of 10 cognitive domains. Large effect sizes were found in planning/problem solving and response inhibition. Effect size in set shifting was medium, whereas effect sizes in attention, processing speed, encoding, verbal memory and nonverbal memory were small. Limitations consisted in a relatively small number of primary studies. In line with current neurobiological findings, the results provide further evidence for the validity of different symptom dimensions in OCD. Clinical and theoretical implications are discussed.
Topics: Attention; Compulsive Behavior; Emotions; Female; Humans; Hygiene; Male; Memory; Middle Aged; Neuropsychological Tests; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Psychomotor Performance
PubMed: 25601381
DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2014.12.016 -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Feb 2017There is not a consensus as to whether neuropsychological profiling can distinguish depressive subtypes. We aimed to systematically review and critically analyse the... (Review)
Review
There is not a consensus as to whether neuropsychological profiling can distinguish depressive subtypes. We aimed to systematically review and critically analyse the literature on cognitive function in patients with melancholic and atypical depression. We searched in databases PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Knowledge and PsycInfo for papers comparing the neuropsychological performance of melancholic patients (MEL) to non-melancholic depressive patients (NMEL), including atypical depressives, and healthy controls (HC). All studies were scrutinised to determine the main methodological characteristics and particularly possible sources of bias influencing the results reported, using the STROBE statement checklist. We also provide effect size of the results reported for contrasts between MEL; patients and NMEL patients. Seventeen studies were included; most of them demonstrated higher neuropsychological impairments of MEL patients compared to both NMEL patients and HC on tasks requiring memory, executive function, attention and reaction time. Detailed analysis of the methodologies used in the studies revealed significant variability especially regarding the participants' sociodemographic characteristics, clinical characteristics of patients and differences in neuropsychological assessment. These findings suggest that MEL may have a distinct and impaired cognitive performance compared to NMEL depressive patients on tasks involving verbal and visual memory, executive function, sustained attention and span, as well as psychomotor speed, this last especially when cognitive load is increased. Additional studies with adequate control of potentially confounding variables will help to clarify further differences in the neuropsychological functioning of depressive subtypes.
Topics: Cognition Disorders; Depression; Depressive Disorder, Major; Executive Function; Humans; Neuropsychological Tests; Reaction Time
PubMed: 28027956
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.12.014