Intrathecal baclofen therapy improves functional intelligibility of speech in cerebral palsy

Objective: To assess the effect of intrathecal baclofen on spastic dysarthia in cerebral palsy. Design: Single case study. Methods: Functional outcome measures, including the Assessment of Intelligibility of Dysarthric Speech, were performed before and after a trial of intrathecal baclofen in an adult patient with spastic dysarthria due to cerebral palsy. The patient proceeded to intrathecal baclofen pump implantation and was reassessed after six months of continuous intrathecal baclofen therapy. Results: Improvement in function including speech intelligibility was seen following the intrathecal baclofen trial. The improvement was sustained at six months post pump implantation. Conclusions: Intrathecal baclofen improved functional intelligibility of speech in a carefully selected subject. The Assessment of Intelligibility of Dysarthric Speech was found to be a useful quantitative tool to assess the effect of intrathecal baclofen on spastic dysarthria.