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Effects of Clear Speech vs. Speaking Slowly in People with Parkinson’s Disease

Official Study Title: Effects of Clear Speech vs. Slowing Instructions on Vowel Space Area in Speech of Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease
Sponsor: CUNY (City University of New York) Graduate Center
Clinicaltrials.gov ID:
Study ID: 09-01-1637

Summary

The purpose of this study is to examine whether instructions given to persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD) with mild to moderate speech problems to speak slowly or to speak clearly result in vowel productions that are more like people unaffected by Parkinson’s.  Acoustical analysis of vowel productions of people with PD and people without PD will be compared from recordings of a paragraph read at each speaker’s habitual rate, slow rate, and instructions to “speak clearly”.

The acoustics of vowels tell us how close to “target” (target refers to the frequencies of the vowels that are the result of the positioning of the mouth) the vowel is being produced.  In people without PD, overall speech intelligibility is improved when speakers speak more slowly or more clearly.  However, the “clear speech” instructions produce the greatest benefit in intelligibility for individuals without PD.  It is the purpose of this study to examine if clear speech instructions lead to more intelligible vowels for individuals with PD. Instructions to slow speech are currently being used in the clinic to try to increase intelligibility, but are not always successful.  It is hypothesized that clear speech instructions may be more beneficial.

Study Phase

Not Applicable
What is a study phase?

Symptoms Addressed: Non-movement Symptoms

Speech problems (hypophonic)  HypophonicRelating to hypophonia, or the reduction in the volume and clarity of one's voice.

Time Commitment

  • Less than one day
  • The study will take approximately one hour to complete.

Eligibility

  • Minimum Age: 35
  • Maximum Age: 90
  • Gender(s) Accepted: Either

Inclusion Criteria

  • People with PD that have difficulty with their speech production (mild to moderate dysarthria) . 
  • Normal hearing and vision (can wear glasses and hearing aids).
  • Passing a screening  ScreeningPeriod of selection of clinical trial participants based on ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA. assessment to ensure that the individual can perform the tasks. (This screening will be administered by the researcher.)
  • Monolingual speakers of American English who reside in the greater NY area.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Individuals with Parkinson’s who have had strokes or other neurological disorders or trauma. 

 

Enrollment

Expected Enrollment: 40 (US)
Date Enrollment Began: Jan 2009
Date Enrollment Ends: Jan 2010
Last Updated Date: Aug 10 2009
Trial Post Date: Apr 27 2009
Website:

Primary Contacts and Locations

New York