<b>People with brain injury needed for UQ speech study</b>

Adults and children with mild to severe brain injury are needed for a University of Queensland study into speech impairment.

Researchers at UQ’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences are developing a speech therapy program for individuals following brain trauma.

“A major underlying factor of the speech difficulties seen following severe head injury is that movement of the tongue, lips and jaw is impaired,” said PhD student Yan Cheng.

“Lack of appropriate technology has meant there is little information on how head injury affects the movement of these structures.”

Ms Cheng said recently developed state-of-the-art technology, such as electromagnetic articulography (EMA) and electropalatography (EPG), could now be used to monitor lip, tongue and jaw movement.

A combination of safe, non-invasive computer and perceptual assessment will be used during the study to help speech therapists determine appropriate treatment.

People with and without apparent speech difficulties are needed for the study and must be over six years old.

They will be required to attend two to three appointments several weeks apart at UQ’s St Lucia campus. Travelling expenses within South East Queensland will be paid.

For further details contact Yan Cheng on telephone 3365 8876 or email y.cheng@shrs.uq.edu.au

Media: For more information contact Yan Cheng on telephone 07 3365 8876 or email y.cheng@shrs.uq.edu.au or Lynda Flower at UQ Communications telephone 07 3365 2339.