Task complexity effect on vocal reaction time in aged speakers

The aged population is at risk for impaired speech communication due to the increased likelihood of deterioration of central nervous system (CNS) processes that underlie cognition, language, and/or speech motor control. Vocal reaction time (RT) may provide a means of quantifying the efficiency of CNS processes that underlie speech production. The present study used a simple RT paradigm to investigate effects of the complexity of the required task on vocal RT in normal young and aged speakers. Task complexity was represented by two levels: a single word and a short sentence. Only the aged subjects showed a significant task complexity effect on vocal RT. Furthermore, the between-group RT difference increased as a function of task complexity. Specific causes for the increase in vocal RT for the aged subjects are presently unknown, but likely reside in altered respiratory biomechanics and reduced efficiency of CNS motor processing.