Dysarthria and idiopathic Parkinson's disease: a current overview of the relationship between speech impairment and quality of life

Abstract

Idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and impairment of automatic movements. Dysarthria is one of the most common manifestations, significantly impacting communication and quality of life (QoL). The Living with Dysarthria (LwD) questionnaire is a tool developed to assess the functional and psychosocial impact of this condition, providing a patient-centered measure of symptom severity. This article aims to present a literature review on the impact of dysarthria in IPD and the use of the LwD questionnaire in evaluating patients' QoL. Five studies investigating dysarthria in IPD and its impact on QoL using the LwD were selected, with searches conducted in the SciELO and PubMed databases, including one study presented at a conference in 2024. The analyzed studies showed that dysarthria compromises not only speech but also emotional and social aspects, directly affecting self-esteem and social participation. The evidence reinforces the importance of integrated therapeutic approaches that address both motor and psychosocial limitations of communication. Furthermore, there is a need for new studies using the LwD specifically in IPD patients to strengthen the scientific basis and improve intervention and therapeutic strategies.