Researchers have long focused on verbal accuracy when screening for cognitive decline in older adults, but a new study suggests that speech rate might be a better indicator of early change. A recent investigation involving 125 participants aged 18 to 85 found that those who spoke more quickly were less likely to experience decline, and that this relationship was stronger than previously thought.
The study used a picture word interference task and spontaneous speech analysis to compare the tempo of speech in older adults with younger ones. The results revealed two dominant trends: increased pausing and reduced speech speed. However, only speech speed showed a statistically significant relationship with verbal task performance.
This finding has implications for clinical practices, as it could shift attention from accuracy toward metrics that capture the speed of neural processing. If validated across larger populations, speech-based diagnostics might provide a more reliable method for identifying patients before substantial neural damage occurs.
However, the study also faced logistical constraints, such as technical issues and limited demographic sampling. Further research is needed to confirm the predictive power of speech rate in detecting cognitive decline.
The study’s findings are supported by previous research that has shown how speech analysis software can detect early cognitive shifts through acoustic markers. This highlights the importance of considering multiple indicators when assessing cognitive function, including both verbal accuracy and processing speed.
While more work is required, this study demonstrates the potential for speech rate to reveal early signs of cognitive decline. By incorporating speed-based diagnostics into clinical practices, healthcare providers might be able to identify patients at risk earlier, and intervene sooner to prevent further damage.
Source: https://indiandefencereview.com/early-brain-decline-signs-speech-habit-warning