Relation Between Nonverbal Oral Movements and Speech Disorders in Pure Word Dumbness: training in nonverbal oral movements and speech

Using a case of pure word dumbness, we experimentally performed training in nonverbal oral movements and in speech in order to clarify their mutual influence. Training consisted of two periods. During the first, we trained nonverbal oral movements ; during the second, we trained oral naming of pictures by electro-palatography. Each period included 10 sessions. Results showed that the rate of correct responses of both trained nonverbal oral movements and untrained speech rose significantly during the first period. The rate of correct responses of both trained and untrained speech rose significantly during the second period ; at the same time the rate of correct responses of untrained oral movements also rose significantly. These results indicate that when training of either nonverbal oral movements or speech is provided, another untrained modality will also improve. From the above, we concluded that a strong relation exists between nonverbal oral movements and speech disorders in the present case.