A critical review of the effect of singing on intelligibility and other speech characteristics in adults with dysarthria

This critical review examines the effect of singing on speech characteristics of adults who have dysarthria. Study designs include: two case studies, a single system design with baseline reversal, a multiple case study experimental design, and an informational article. Overall, research suggests that singing may improve speech characteristics and intelligibility of adults with dysarthria. The conclusions of this critical review should be considered with caution due to the small number of subjects that were examined across the four studies (n=9). Clinical and future recommendations are discussed.