Noise-augmented Automatic Speech Recognition for Speech Treatment in Parkinson's Disease

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether noise-augmented feedback using automatic speech recognition improves intelligibility and social participation in individuals with Parkinson's disease. The main questions the investigators will address are: Does noise-augmented feedback lead to increased intelligibility, as measured by transcription accuracy scores? Does a self-managed speech protocol lead to increased social participation, as measured by the Communicative Participation Item Bank and the Communicative Effectiveness Index questionnaires? Participants will: Receive 2-4 initial speech assessments in-person in our lab. Engage in speech treatment sessions at home using their phone and computer four days a week for four weeks. Four of those sessions will be directly monitored online by a speech-language pathologist. The rest of the sessions are completed by the participant. Come to the lab for two post-treatment assessments following completion of treatment. Come to the lab six months after treatment completion for an additional assessment.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

* Participants will qualify for the study if:

  * They are 50-80 years old,
  * They have a medical diagnosis of PD,
  * They are within stages I-IV of Hoehn \& Yahr Scale,
  * Their antiparkinsonian medication schedule is stable,
  * They present with mild to moderate dysarthria,
  * They score ≥ 25 in the MMSE,
  * They score ≤ 24 in the BDI-III.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Participants will be excluded from the study if they:

  * Present with atypical parkinsonism at the time of screening (or other neurological condition),
  * Underwent neurosurgery treatment (DBS),
  * Received intensive voice-focused treatment less than three months prior to their involvement in the current study,
  * Present with any speech or voice pathology that is unrelated to PD.

Conditions2

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