Covert Speech Behavior during Video-Viewing Tasks with and without An Overt Speech Soundtrack

Abstract

This pilot study tested the prediction that covert speech activity measured by lip EMG(μv) is significantly greater during the presentation of prerecorded speech than in a ‘speechless’ video-viewing test condition and conditions of rest. A single-subject multiple-baseline design was used and nondominant forearm EMG(μv) activity was also measured for comparison purposes. Analysis showed a significant increase in lip EMG(μv) activity in 1 out of 2 rest-to-test conditions involving the presentation of prerecorded overt speech. There was no significant difference in the subjects' mean lip EMG(μv) values across 3 test conditions, however.