Speaking Task for Speech

Overseen By Carrie Niziolek, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Wisconsin, Madison

Disqualifiers: Neurological disorders, Hearing disorders, Cognitive impairments, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 10

117 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this research study is to understand how the brain processes and controls speech in healthy people. The investigators are doing this research because it will help identify the mechanisms that allow people to perceive their own speech errors and to learn new speech sounds. 117 participants will be enrolled into this part of the study and can expect to be on study between 1 day (Experiment 1) and 4 weeks (Experiment 2).

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, since the study focuses on speech and brain processing in healthy individuals, it might not require changes to your medication routine.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Exp 3 Speaking Task?

Research on Sound Production Treatment (SPT) for acquired apraxia of speech shows that different practice schedules can improve speech production, suggesting that structured speaking tasks may help improve speech in similar conditions. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the Speaking Task for Speech treatment differ from other treatments for speech conditions?

The Speaking Task for Speech treatment is unique because it focuses on improving speech through specific speaking tasks, which may involve different methods like esophageal speech, electrolarynx, or tracheoesophageal puncture. This approach is distinct from other treatments that might not specifically target these speaking techniques or involve such a variety of methods to enhance speech proficiency. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Research Team

Carrie Niziolek, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for healthy individuals interested in how the brain controls speech. Specific eligibility details are not provided, but typically participants should have no significant health issues affecting their speech.

Inclusion Criteria

I have never had a stroke or neurological conditions.

I am an adult who speaks English.

I have normal hearing and speech.

Exclusion Criteria

English is not my first language.

I do not have any neurological disorders other than the one being studied.

I have had hearing problems in the past.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Experiment 1

Generalization of Vowel Space Expansion to Untrained Words and Vowels in a single session

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Experiment 2

Retention of Vowel Space Expansion After Training in Multiple Sessions over four weeks

4 weeks

8 visits (in-person)

Experiment 3

Vowel Space Expansion Training With Connected Speech

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

2 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Exp 3 Speaking Task

Trial Overview The study is testing a 'Speaking Task' to understand brain processes and control of speech. Participants will be involved in experiments ranging from a single day to four weeks to identify how people correct speech errors and learn new sounds.

Participant Groups

Group I: Healthy Adult Speakers Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

healthy adult participants across the lifespan in three groups:18-35, 36-55, and 56+

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,249

Recruited

3,255,000+

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

Collaborator

Trials

377

Recruited

190,000+

Findings from Research

Sound Production Treatment (SPT) was effective in improving the accuracy of speech sounds in 6 participants with acquired apraxia of speech (AOS) and aphasia, regardless of whether the treatment was presented in a blocked or random order.

The random presentation of treatment words (SPT-random) showed potential advantages in maintaining improvements for some participants, suggesting that different practice methods may influence treatment outcomes in AOS.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sound production treatment: effects of blocked and random practice. Wambaugh, JL., Nessler, C., Wright, S., et al.[2016]

A study involving eight hearing-impaired adults showed that communication therapy can effectively change how individuals use repair strategies when they misinterpret spoken sentences, leading to a more diverse approach in communication.

After therapy, participants reduced their reliance on the 'repeat' strategy and began using other strategies, such as asking for simplification or key words, indicating improved communication skills.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Repair strategy usage by hearing-impaired adults and changes following communication therapy. Tye-Murray, N.[2019]

In a study involving 4 speakers with chronic apraxia of speech and aphasia, all participants showed improved accuracy in speech production across different treatment intensities and schedules using sound production treatment (SPT).

No significant differences in treatment outcomes were found between the various SPT applications, suggesting that different intensities and practice schedules can be equally effective for improving speech accuracy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Treatment for acquired apraxia of speech: examination of treatment intensity and practice schedule. Wambaugh, JL., Nessler, C., Cameron, R., et al.[2016]

After 18 months of group rehabilitation, the program successfully enhanced communication skills by focusing on linguistic, social, and cognitive aspects.

Phonetic games and targeted exercises were effective methods for improving speech production, reading, and writing skills in participants.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

'Small group' rehabilitation in adolescent cochlear implant users: aims, method and results. D'Agosta, L., Bosco, E., Cordier, A.[2019]

The study involved four speakers with chronic apraxia of speech and aphasia, who underwent Sound Production Treatment (SPT) using both blocked and random practice schedules, showing improvements in word production accuracy for both methods.

While both practice schedules were effective, one participant showed better long-term retention with the random practice schedule, and generalization of treatment effects to untreated words was modest and varied among participants.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sound production treatment for acquired apraxia of speech: Effects of blocked and random practice on multisyllabic word production. Wambaugh, J., Nessler, C., Wright, S., et al.[2017]

The study evaluated the speaking proficiencies of 33 alaryngeal speakers across three groups: esophageal, electrolarynx, and tracheoesophageal puncture, revealing significant differences in voice quality, intelligibility, and overall effectiveness among the groups.

Judges' expertise influenced their ratings of speaking proficiency, indicating that familiarity with laryngectomee communication methods affects the assessment of their speaking abilities.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Differences in speaking proficiencies in three laryngectomee groups. Williams, SE., Watson, JB.[2019]

A new speech comprehension test was developed using short everyday passages and on-the-go questions, aiming to better reflect real-world communication compared to traditional sentence recall tests.

The new test showed similar psychometric properties to the sentence test, but it revealed age and cognitive effects that the sentence test did not, suggesting it may provide more nuanced insights into speech perception, especially for hearing-impaired listeners.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Development and preliminary evaluation of a new test of ongoing speech comprehension. Best, V., Keidser, G., Buchholz, JM., et al.[2019]

Lip-reading combined with synchronized acoustic pulses (LR&Lx condition) significantly improved performance in understanding sentences compared to lip-reading alone (LR:alone condition) among 42 adult subjects with normal hearing.

The study established a logistic regression model to account for practice effects and list difficulty, allowing for more accurate assessment of lip-reading performance across different conditions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lip-reading the BKB sentence lists: corrections for list and practice effects. Foster, JR., Summerfield, AQ., Marshall, DH., et al.[2019]

In a study involving 38 students performing a 45-minute vocal loading task, it was found that faster speaking rates led to increased vocal fatigue and changes in acoustic voice parameters, such as higher sound pressure levels and fundamental frequency.

The results indicated that vocal fatigue worsened over time, particularly during fast speaking tasks, suggesting that speaking rate significantly influences vocal strain and fatigue.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effects of Reading Speed on Acoustic Voice Parameters and Self-reported Vocal Fatigue in Students. Nudelman, C., Webster, J., Bottalico, P.[2021]

A new speech intelligibility test was developed by adapting a list of sentences based on feedback from 60 experts in linguistics and speech science, ensuring high agreement on criteria for familiarity, meaning, and predictability.

The adaptation process resulted in 99 sentences being modified to improve predictability and the use of proper names, creating a standardized assessment tool for speech perception in Brazilian Portuguese for both normal hearing adults and those with hearing loss.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Updating sentences lists for assessment speech perception. Pinheiro, MMC., Vieira, MG., Vieira, LM., et al.[2023]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sound production treatment: effects of blocked and random practice. [2016]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Repair strategy usage by hearing-impaired adults and changes following communication therapy. [2019]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Treatment for acquired apraxia of speech: examination of treatment intensity and practice schedule. [2016]

4. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

'Small group' rehabilitation in adolescent cochlear implant users: aims, method and results. [2019]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sound production treatment for acquired apraxia of speech: Effects of blocked and random practice on multisyllabic word production. [2017]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Differences in speaking proficiencies in three laryngectomee groups. [2019]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Development and preliminary evaluation of a new test of ongoing speech comprehension. [2019]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lip-reading the BKB sentence lists: corrections for list and practice effects. [2019]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effects of Reading Speed on Acoustic Voice Parameters and Self-reported Vocal Fatigue in Students. [2021]

10. Brazil pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Updating sentences lists for assessment speech perception. [2023]