Adults Who Stutter

1994 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 746-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony J. Caruso ◽  
Wojtek J. Chodzko-Zajko ◽  
Debra A. Bidinger ◽  
Ronald K. Sommers
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Response Latency ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Speech Rate ◽  
Center Frequency ◽  
Vowel Duration ◽  
Cognitive Stress ◽  
Word Duration ◽  
Adults Who Stutter

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of speed and cognitive stress on the articulatory coordination abilities of adults who stutter. Cardiovascular (heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure), behavioral (dysfluencies, errors, speech rate, and response latency), and acoustic (word duration, vowel duration, consonant-vowel transition duration/extent, and formant center frequency) measures for nine stutterers and nine nonstutterers were collected during performance of the Stroop Color Word task, a well-established and highly stressful cognitive task. Significant differences were found between the two groups for heart rate, word duration, vowel duration, speech rate, and response latency. In addition, stutterers produced more dysfluencies under speed plus cognitive stress versus speed stress or a self-paced reading task. These findings demonstrate that the presence of cognitive stress resulted in greater temporal disruptions and more dysfluencies for stutterers than for nonstutterers. However, similar spatial impairments were not evident. The potential contributions of the Stroop paradigm to stuttering research as well as the need for further research on autonomic correlates of stuttering are also discussed.

The Effects of a Caffeine Placebo and Experimenter Expectation on Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, Well-Being, and Cognitive Performance

2001 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Walach ◽  
Stefan Schmidt ◽  
Yvonne-Michelle Bihr ◽  
Susanne Wiesch
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Being There ◽  
To Receive

We studied the effect of experimenter expectations and different instructions in a balanced placebo design. 157 subjects were randomized into a 2 × 4 factorial design. Two experimenters were led to expect placebos either to produce physiological effects or not (pro- vs. antiplacebo). All subjects except a control group received a caffeine placebo. They were either made to expect coffee, no coffee, or were in a double-blind condition. Dependent measures were blood pressure, heart rate, well-being, and a cognitive task. There was one main effect on the instruction factor (p = 0.03) with the group “told no caffeine” reporting significantly better well-being. There was one main effect on the experimenter factor with subjects instructed by experimenter “proplacebo” having higher systolic blood pressure (p = 0.008). There was one interaction with subjects instructed by experimenter “proplacebo” to receive coffee doing worse in the cognitive task than the rest. Subjects instructed by experimenter “antiplacebo” were significantly less likely to believe the experimental instruction, and that mostly if they had been instructed to receive coffee. Contrary to the literature we could not show an effect of instruction, but there was an effect of experimenters. It is likely, however, that these experimenter effects were not due to experimental manipulations, but to the difference in personalities.

Adaptation of Stuttering Frequency During Repeated Readings

1998 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 1265-1281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ludo Max ◽  
Anthony J. Caruso
Keyword(s):  
Motor Learning ◽  
Transition Rate ◽  
Speech Rate ◽  
The Other ◽  
Repeated Readings ◽  
Vowel Duration ◽  
Articulation Rate ◽  
Motor Tasks ◽  
Learning Hypothesis ◽  
Word Duration

This study is part of a series investigating the hypothesis that stuttering adaptation is a result of motor learning. Previous investigations indicate that nonspeech motor learning typically is associated with an increase in speed of performance. Previous investigations of stuttering, on the other hand, indicate that improvements in fluency during most fluency-enhancing conditions or after stuttering treatment tend to be associated with decreased speech rate, increased duration of specific acoustic segments, and decreased vowel duration variability. The present acoustic findings, obtained from 8 individuals who stutter, reveal that speech adjustments occurring during adaptation differ from those reported for other fluency-enhancing conditions or stuttering treatment. Instead, the observed changes are consistent with those occurring during skill improvements for nonspeech motor tasks and, thus, with a motor learning hypothesis of stuttering adaptation. During the last of 6 repeated readings, a statistically significant increase in articulation rate was observed, together with a decrease in word duration, vowel duration, and consonant-vowel (CV) transition extent. Other adjustments showing relatively consistent trends across individual subjects included decreased CV transition rate and duration, and increased variability of both CV transition extent and vowel duration.

scholarly journals TWO PATTERNS ОF CT-BRAIN PERFUSION AND DC-POTENTIALS ОF THE BRAIN EVOKED COGNITIVE TASK IN DISCIRCULATORY ENCEPHALOPATHY PATIENTS

2012 ◽  
Vol 67 (10) ◽  
pp. 38-43
Author(s):  
V. F. Fokin ◽  
N. V. Ponomareva ◽  
M. V. Krotenkova ◽  
R. N. Konovalov ◽  
M. M. Tanashyan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Verbal Fluency ◽  
Cerebral Perfusion ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Brain Perfusion ◽  
Verbal Fluency Test ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Fluency Test ◽  
Dc Potentials

In patients with discirculatory encephalopathy the influence of verbal fluency test on the characteristics of cerebral perfusion, DC-potentials of the brain, as well as on blood pressure and heart rate was investigated. Two patterns of responses to the verbal fluency test were observed. The first one is the process of generalized activation, manifested by the reduction of the TTP (time to peak) parameters of brain perfusion, the rise of the DC-potentials in all areas of brain and the modulation of blood pressure and heart rate. The second process, directly connected with cognitive processing, was manifested by the shifts of local characteristics of brain perfusion and DC-potentials in the frontal, temporal and central cortex, especially in the left hemisphere. Correlations were found between the characteristics of cerebral perfusion and DC-potentials on the one hand and the number of words during the verbal fluency test performance on the other hand. 

Reduced baroreflex sensitivity in elderly humans is not due to efferent autonomic dysfunction

1999 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. O'MAHONY ◽  
C. BENNETT ◽  
A. GREEN ◽  
A. J. SINCLAIR
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Baroreflex Sensitivity ◽  
Reflex Response ◽  
Cognitive Stress ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Cold Face ◽  
Blood Pressure Responses ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Cold Face Test

A progressive decline in baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) is a characteristic feature of human aging, the basis of which is poorly understood. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether alterations in efferent baroreflex function might contribute to the age-related decrease in BRS. We studied 10 healthy young (mean age 30.5 years; age range 22–40 years; six male) and 10 healthy elderly (mean age 70.7 years; age range 67–75 years; five male) volunteers. We tested efferent cardiac vagal function using the bradycardiac response to the cold face test, and efferent sympathetic function using heart rate and blood pressure responses to four stress tests: (i) low-level cognitive stress, (ii) high-level cognitive stress, (iii) hand immersion in ice water (cold pressor test) and (iv) isometric sustained hand-grip. Haemodynamic responses to these stresses are mediated via efferent baroreflex pathways, whereas the afferent components of each reflex response are independent of afferent baroreflex pathways. BRS was measured from simultaneous Finapres-derived continuous blood pressure and digital ECG R–R interval data using the sequence analysis paradigm. As expected, BRS was significantly reduced in the elderly group (7.29±0.74 ms/mmHg; mean±S.E.M.) compared with the young group (13.84±1.13 ms/mmHg; P < 0.001). However, neither the bradycardiac responses to the cold face test nor the efferent sympathetically mediated heart rate/blood pressure responses to the stress test battery were significantly different between the young and elderly groups. We conclude that the age-related decrease in BRS is not attributable to impairments in the efferent sympathetic or parasympathetic system components of the baroreceptor reflex pathway.

Cardiovascular response to cognitive stress in subjects with menstrually related disorders

Cephalalgia ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 17 (20_suppl) ◽  
pp. 5-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Tarabusi ◽  
As Caputo ◽  
A Volpe ◽  
F Facchinetti
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Cardiovascular Response ◽  
International Headache Society ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Cognitive Stress ◽  
Menstrual Cycles ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Menstrual Distress ◽  
Normal Controls

We measured reactivity to a stress paradigm during the premenstrual period in 19 women affected by Menstrually Related Disorders (MRD) and in 11 normal controls. Eight had premenstrual syndrome diagnosed by the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire and 11 suffered menstrual migraine, diagnosed according to International Headache Society criteria. Subjects were observed during two menstrual cycles and submitted to a psychocognitive test (Stroop Color Word) during the luteal phase. In both groups the stimulation by Stroop C-W was present for systolic blood pressure (SBP) (F = 18.14, p = 0.000), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (F = 9.56, p = 0.000), and heart rate (F = 12.80, p = 0.000). Moreover, an interaction of response by group was present for DBP (2.58, p = 0.04); DBP values were higher in MRD subjects. Also baseline DBP values were higher in MRD with respect to controls. Area under the curve (AUC) subtracted from baseline for the SBP, DBP and heart rate did not differ between groups. In conclusion, MRD subjects facing a cognitive stress had normal cardiovascular response. However, patients had increased arousal of cardiovascular measures before and after testing. The significant differences during stress of testing were dissociated from those of experimental stress stimulation. MRD subjects may have less ability to cope with novelty than healthy volunteers.

Altered cytokine responses to cognitive stress in multiple sclerosis patients with fatigue

2005 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Heesen ◽  
Gabriele Koehler ◽  
Rüdiger Gross ◽  
Wiebke Tessmer ◽  
Karl-Heinz Schulz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Cognitive Deficit ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Cardiac Response ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Heart Rate Reactivity ◽  
Cognitive Stress ◽  
Fatigue Score ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis Patients ◽  
Th 1

This study intended to examine if the immune response to a cognitive task as a variant of psychological stress in MS patients is distinct from healthy controls. The experiment was part of a larger study on mechanisms and measurements of MS fatigue. Patients (n=23) and controls (n=25) participated in a cognitive task lasting 40 minutes, in which the heart rate was continuously monitored. Blood samples were taken at baseline and directly after the stress-inducing task. Whole blood stimulated cytokine production representative of the TH-1 (i.e. IFNγ, TNFα) and TH-2 paradigm (i.e. IL-10) was evaluated in relation to disability, fatigue, cognitive deficit, and anxiety. Patients scored high on a disease specific fatigue score compared to controls, whereas baseline cytokine patterns did not differ between the groups. MS patients displayed a blunted response of IFNg (P=0.03) whereas TNFα and IL-10 responses did not change. Additionally MS patients showed a significantly lower heart rate increase after the task (P<0.001). Cognitive impairment was associated with a decreased heart rate reactivity (P=0.02) while depressive symptoms correlated with stronger IL-10 responses (P=0.05). Overall, cognitive stress induces IFNγ production in healthy controls but not in MS patients with fatigue. Furthermore, a reduced cardiac response might indicate an autonomic dysfunction in this group of patients.

scholarly journals Measuring Entropy Change in a Human Physiological System

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satish Boregowda ◽  
Rod Handy ◽  
Darrah Sleeth ◽  
Andrew Merryweather
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Skin Temperature ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Entropy Change ◽  
Physiological Data ◽  
Multiple Time ◽  
Electrodermal Response ◽  
Physiological Measures ◽  
Human Engineering

The paper presents a novel approach involving the use of Maxwell relations to combine multiple physiological measures to provide a measure of entropy change. The physiological measures included blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), skin temperature (ST), electromyogram (EMG), and electrodermal response (EDR). The multiple time-series physiological data were collected from eight subjects in an experimental pilot study conducted at the Human Engineering Laboratory of NASA Langley Research Center. The methodology included data collection during a relaxation period of eighteen minutes followed by a sixty-minute cognitive task. Two types of entropy change were computed: (a) entropy change (ΔSBP) due to blood pressure, heart rate, and skin temperature and (b) entropy change (ΔSEMG) due to electromyogram, electrodermal response, and skin temperature. The results demonstrate that entropy change provides a valuable composite measure of individual physiological response to various stressors that could be valuable in the areas of medical research, diagnosis, and clinical practice.

β-Adrenoceptor responsiveness and plasma catecholamines as determinants of cardiovascular reactivity to mental stress

1985 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 483-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Eisenhofer ◽  
D. G. Lambie ◽  
R. H. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Systolic Blood Pressure ◽  
Cardiovascular Reactivity ◽  
Mental Stress ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Plasma Catecholamines ◽  
Plasma Adrenaline ◽  
Blood Pressure Responses ◽  
Electronic Game

1. Twenty-five normotensive men were subjected to two periods of mental stress involving a cognitive task and a competitive electronic game. Plasma catecholamines, heart rate and blood pressure were measured before and during mental stress. Responsiveness to β-adrenoceptor stimulation was also determined in each subject by measurement of heart rate responses to bolus injections of isoprenaline. 2. Both periods of mental stress were associated with significant increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressures, heart rate and plasma adrenaline, but not plasma noradrenaline. Heart rate responses to mental stress varied widely, with increases ranging from 1 to 48 (mean ± sd 13.5 ± 10.6) beats/min for the cognitive task and from 2 to 49 (20.4 ± 14.0) beats/min for the electronic game. Systolic blood pressure responses also varied widely and showed significant positive correlations with heart rate responses. 3. Significant relationships were found between heart rate responses to both forms of mental stress and cardiac sensitivity to isoprenaline, subjects with low responsiveness to β-adrenoceptor stimulation tending to have smaller heart rate responses to mental stress than subjects with high responsiveness to β-adrenoceptor stimulation. Relationships were also found between plasma adrenaline responses and heart rate responses to mental stress, although these did not reach significance. Considerably improved relationships were found when heart rate responses were correlated with a single variable generated from the product of the adrenaline response and the inverse of the dose of isoprenaline required to raise heart rate by 25 beats/min. 4. It is concluded that wide variation is shown between different individuals in responsiveness to β-adrenoceptor stimulation and that this is an important factor in the variability between individuals in heart rate and systolic blood pressure responses to mental stress. Both catecholamines and adrenoceptor-mediated responses to catecholamines should be examined when determining the physiological basis for differences in cardiovascular reactivity to mental stress between individuals or groups.

The Successful Stuttering Management Program: A Preliminary Report on Outcomes

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jim Tsiamtsiouris ◽  
Kim Krieger
Keyword(s):  
Preliminary Report ◽  
Speech Rate ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Intensive Program ◽  
Adults Who Stutter

Abstract The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that adults who stutter will exhibit significant improvements after attending a residential, 3-week intensive program that focuses on avoidance reduction and stuttering modification therapy. Preliminary analyses focused on four measures: (a) SSI-3, (b) speech rate, (c) S-24 Scale, and (d) OASES. Results indicated significant improvements on all of the measures.

Temporal Characteristics of Speech in Simultaneous Communication

1995 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 1014-1024 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert L. Whitehead ◽  
Nicholas Schiavetti ◽  
Brenda H. Whitehead ◽  
Dale Evan Metz
Keyword(s):  
Pause Duration ◽  
Vowel Duration ◽  
Vowel Perception ◽  
Temporal Characteristics ◽  
Spoken English ◽  
Temporal Features ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Word Duration ◽  
Rate Of Speech ◽  
Speech Condition

The purpose of this investigation was twofold: (a) to determine if there are changes in specific temporal characteristics of speech that occur during simultaneous communication, and (b) to determine if known temporal rules of spoken English are disrupted during simultaneous communication. Ten speakers uttered sentences consisting of a carrier phrase and experimental CVC words under conditions of: (a) speech, (b) speech combined with signed English, and (c) speech combined with signed English for every word except the CVC word that was fingerspelled. The temporal features investigated included: (a) sentence duration, (b) experimental CVC word duration, (c) vowel duration in experimental CVC words, (d) pause duration before and after experimental CVC words, and (e) consonantal effects on vowel duration. Results indicated that for all durational measures, the speech/sign/fingerspelling condition was longest, followed by the speech/sign condition, with the speech condition being shortest. It was also found that for all three speaking conditions, vowels were longer in duration when preceding voiced consonants than vowels preceding their voiceless cognates, and that a low vowel was longer in duration than a high vowel. These findings indicate that speakers consistently reduced their rate of speech when using simultaneous communication, but did not violate these specific temporal rules of English important for consonant and vowel perception.

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