Digital App for Speech & Health Monitoring
This research is looking at how a smartphone app can help people living with conditions such as dementia, motor neuron disease (MND), multiple sclerosis (MS), and Parkinson's disease. Many people with these conditions experience changes in their speech. The study aims to use digital technology to record and carefully analyse these speech patterns. The main goal is to discover if these detailed speech recordings can provide new insights that help with the early detection, monitoring, and understanding of these conditions. Researchers will compare speech from people with a neurological diagnosis to those who are healthy. This could lead to new, easy-to-use tools for individuals, doctors, and researchers in the future.
At a glance
What is this study about?
Many people who live with neurological conditions like dementia, motor neuron disease (MND), multiple sclerosis (MS), and Parkinson's disease often find that their speech can change. These changes can sometimes be subtle, and doctors and researchers are always looking for better ways to understand and track them.
This study uses everyday digital tools, specifically smartphone apps, to record people's speech. The idea is that by carefully analysing these recordings, researchers might be able to spot patterns or changes in speech that could help in a few ways. Firstly, it could potentially help identify these conditions earlier. Secondly, it might offer a new way to monitor how a condition is progressing over time. Finally, it could help researchers better group and understand different aspects of these conditions.
To do this, the research team will collect a lot of speech data. They will compare recordings from people diagnosed with dementia, MND, MS, or Parkinson's disease with recordings from people who don't have a neurological condition. This comparison is key to understanding what makes speech patterns different. If successful, this research could lead to new, easy-to-use digital tools that could eventually support both patients and healthcare professionals in managing these conditions.
Key takeaways
- Uses a smartphone app to analyse speech.
- Aims to improve early detection and monitoring of conditions like Dementia, MND, MS, and Parkinson's.
- Compares speech from people with and without these conditions.
- Seeking volunteers aged 16 and over.
- Could lead to new digital tools for healthcare.
- Participation involves recording your speech via an app.
Who may be eligible?
To join this study, you need to meet certain requirements. You can take part if you have a diagnosis of Motor Neuron Disease, Dementia, Multiple Sclerosis, or Parkinson's Disease. This includes a wide range of individuals living with these conditions.
Alternatively, you can also take part if you are either a relative or carer of someone with one of these conditions, and you yourself do not have a neurological condition. This helps the researchers compare speech patterns between those with a condition and those who are healthy.
Finally, healthy volunteers who do not have any neurological condition are also encouraged to participate. This creates an important comparison group for the study. Everyone who takes part must be at least 16 years old.
- Are you 16 years old or older?
- Do you have a diagnosis of Dementia, Motor Neuron Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, or Parkinson's Disease?
- OR, are you a relative/carer of someone with one of these conditions and do not have a neurological condition yourself?
- OR, are you a healthy volunteer with no neurological condition?
- Do you have adequate vision and hearing to use a smartphone app?
- Are you able to understand the study and consent to take part?
This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.
What does participation involve?
The study involves using a digital app, likely on a smartphone, to record your speech. This will involve speaking into the app to provide the researchers with the data they need. The researchers will be collecting a large amount of speech data from different groups of people.
There are no specified visits, medication, or long-term follow-up beyond the initial data collection outlined. The main activity is deploying and using the digital platform to acquire speech data. The total duration of your participation is not explicitly stated but would involve the periods of speech recording as requested by the app, which might be done from home.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- NHS LothianEdinburgh, United Kingdom· Recruiting
Common questions
What kind of speech will I need to record?
The study aims to collect a lot of speech data, but the specific types of speech recordings (e.g., specific phrases, reading aloud) are not detailed here. You would be guided by the digital app.
Do I need any special equipment to take part?
You will need a smartphone or similar device capable of running a digital app for speech recording. The study will likely provide the app itself.
How will my data be kept private?
Your data will be linked to highly curated clinical registries, and the researchers will use secure methods to ensure your identity and personal information are protected, though exact details aren't provided here.
Will taking part affect my medical care?
No, your decision to take part or not, or to withdraw at any time, will not affect the medical care you receive.
How long will the study last?
The study aims to collect a large body of speech data. The exact duration of your individual participation, or how long the overall study will run, is not specified in this brief summary.
How to find out more
Christine R Weaver, MSc
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
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