Assistant Professor
BASLP | MASLP
Ms. Sharon Mizpah Prathana C is currently working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Speech Language Pathology in the Faculty of Audiology & Speech Language Pathology at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education & Research (SRIHER, Deemed University), Chennai, India. She was the second rank holder during her under-graduation in Bachelors in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology (BASLP) in 2015 from MERF – Institute of Speech and Hearing, affiliated to The TamilNadu Dr. MGR Medical University. She completed her Masters in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology (MASLP) in 2017 from Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai. Sharon’s area of clinical focus is majorly on assessing and treating individuals with Feeding & Swallowing Disorders (Neonates to Geriatrics), Neurogenic Communication Disorders and Childhood speech & language disorders. She has more than 7 years of clinical experience. She has been actively involved in conducting camps and public awareness materials for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease, Voice care for Choir singers and for infants with feeding & swallowing disorders. Sharon has participated in research projects as a co- investigator in an intramural research project on “Effect of stimulation frequency on quality of speech in individuals with Parkinson’s disease who have undergone sub thalamic nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation surgery” and served as a volunteer in a experimental research by OBEY-AD India coordinated by University of Padova. Sharon is certified in Susan Langmore foundation FEES (Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing) and post laryngectomy rehabilitation course.
Feeding & swallowing disorders
Neurogenic communication disorders
Speech sound disorders
Educational research
Background: Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) targeting the subthalamic nucleus (STN) has been
reported to be successful in improving core motor symptoms, motor fluctuations, and speech
systems in more advanced stages of Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Aim: To compare and contrast the effects of stimulation frequency in subthalamic nucleus Deep
Brain Stimulation (STN-DBS) on the quality of speech in individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
Outcome: A low frequency stimulation can improve speech scores, but it may also lead to a decline in motor function. In contrary, a high stimulation frequency is effective in controlling tremors and body movements but may result in a decrease in speech scores. The extent of speech deterioration caused by a high stimulation frequency varies among patients, emphasizing the need for individualized programming of deep brain stimulation (DBS) parameters along with wholistic rehabilitation for speech to balance motor and speech outcomes.
(CRR No: A56090)
(ISHA : L19093542)