Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

INcorporating VoIce AcTivated Communication Aids Into Everyday Communication

This study is exploring how voice-activated communication apps can help people with dysarthria, a condition that makes speech slow and unclear. Many people with dysarthria use communication aids, but these can be slow. New apps use speech recognition to make communication faster. We want to find out who benefits most from these apps and what kind of support they need to use them successfully. This information will help doctors and therapists who provide communication aids, and will guide future research into these new technologies. The study involves a small group of people trying out an app for six months and also gathering feedback from professionals.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Sheffield

Enrolment target

Start

31 May 2023

Estimated completion

01 Apr 2025

Dysarthria

What is this study about?

Imagine finding it hard to speak clearly, making everyday conversations a real challenge. This is what many people with a condition called dysarthria experience. Their speech can be slow, slurred, or difficult for others to understand, which can make it hard to study, work, or even just chat with friends and family. While there are communication aids available, like devices where you type or touch to create speech, these can sometimes be too slow to keep up with a normal conversation.

This study is looking at newer voice-activated communication apps. Think of them like smart programs that can learn to recognise specific words or sounds that someone with dysarthria can make, and then turn them into clear, understandable spoken words. Our previous research suggests these apps might be quicker than traditional devices. We want to understand who these apps help the most and what kind of training and support people need to use them well. This knowledge is really important because it will help healthcare professionals decide who these apps are best for and how to introduce them effectively.

We're doing this in two main parts. First, a small group of 20-30 people with dysarthria will use one of these voice-activated apps for six months. We'll be checking to see if it makes their communication better and helps them achieve their communication goals. In the second part, we'll talk to professionals who work with communication aids to understand what they need to help people use these apps. Throughout the study, people who use communication aids themselves are helping us make sure our research is relevant and useful.

Key takeaways

Exploring new voice-activated apps for better communication.
Aims to help people with dysarthria speak more clearly and quickly.
Individuals will try an app for six months, with support.
Information gathered will help healthcare professionals and future research.
Your input could improve communication for many others.
The study focuses on identifying who benefits and what support is needed.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be at least 18 years old and have dysarthria that makes your speech moderately or severely difficult to understand. It's important that you can make at least two distinct sounds that you can control voluntarily. You also need to be able to understand the study information and give your consent to take part, and be able to participate in interviews with communication support if needed. Lastly, you should mostly communicate in English.

There are a few reasons why someone might not be able to join. These include if you have significant memory or thinking problems that prevent you from consenting or actively participating in interviews, or if you can't use a communication aid at all. You also won't be able to join if you can't make any controlled sounds, or if your dysarthria is caused by a condition that is getting worse over time.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you have speech that is quite difficult to understand due to dysarthria?
Can you make at least two different sounds consistently and purposefully?
Can you understand information about the study and give your consent to take part?
Do you mostly communicate in English?
Does your dysarthria *not* get worse over time due to a progressive condition?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll be asked to use a special voice-activated communication app for six months. During this time, we will gather information about how the app improves your communication and helps you achieve your personal communication goals. This information will be collected through interviews and observations. The total duration of your active involvement will be six months, and there are no specific medications involved in this study.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer some benefits, such as potentially improving your communication skills and independence through the use of a new voice-activated app. It also gives you a chance to contribute to research that could help many others with dysarthria in the future. As with any study, there might be some time commitment or minor inconvenience involved in learning and using the app and participating in interviews. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your care or your relationship with your healthcare team.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Verified postcode
Barnsley, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is dysarthria?

Dysarthria is a condition where speech becomes slow, slurred, or difficult to understand, often due to muscle weakness or difficulty controlling the muscles used for speaking.

What are voice-activated communication apps?

These are special phone or tablet apps that learn to recognise specific sounds or words you can make, and then turn them into clear, spoken messages.

How long will I need to use the app for?

If you join the study, you'll be asked to use the voice-activated communication app for six months.

Will this study help my speech directly?

The study aims to see if these apps can improve communication. While it might help you personally, its main goal is to gather information to help others and guide future research.

Can I leave the study if I change my mind?

Yes, you can leave the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your care.