Our names are Gavin O’Duffy, Isobel Cuddigan and JP Swaine and we are currently conducting our research project as part of our MSc in Digital Health Transformation in the University of Limerick. If you are over 18 and a proficient English speaker, we would appreciate your participation in our study. If you would like some more information, please contact Gavin O’Duffy <21381372@studentmail.ul.ie>.
This study will examine the measurement of voice and speech biomarkers to help track the progression of Parkinson’s Disease. The purpose of this project is to see if effective monitoring of speech and voice can be conducted by individuals with Parkinson’s Disease in their own homes.
This research study will involve participants with Parkinson’s Disease audio recording themselves using a phone, tablet, laptop or computer while reading a passage of text and completing specific speech tasks (saying ‘ahhhh’ for as long as possible and repeating “pat-a-cake” as many times as they can). These tasks will take less than 10 minutes and participants will be asked to complete them just twice in a 3 week period.
Any data collected will remain completely confidential and only used for this study. Data will be stored securely. No identifying information will be used, you will only be identifiable by your sex and age. Ethical approval for the project has been granted by the Faculty of Science & Engineering Research Ethics Committee.
We are undertaking a MSc in Digital Health Transformation at the University of Limerick under the supervision of Annette McElligott. The title of our proposed research is: “A protocol for data collection involving voice and speech biomarkers to assist in determining the progression of Parkinson’s Disease: an exploratory study.”
Our study will examine the measurement of voice and speech biomarkers to help track the progression of Parkinson’s Disease. As it is well known that Parkinson's disease affects the voice, we believe it would be useful to develop a practical means for gathering voice samples from people with Parkinson's for analysis by speech therapists as well as Parkinson's specialists. There are many areas to consider, not least of all consent and privacy protection, but also audio quality and what vocal exercises will yield the best results. The purpose of this project is to see if effective monitoring of speech and voice can be conducted by individuals with Parkinson’s Disease in their own homes.
This research study will involve individuals with Parkinson’s Disease audio recording themselves reading a passage of text and completing specific speech tasks from home. You will be asked to complete these tasks first thing in the morning, and also several hours later, which will take less than 10 minutes each time. You will be asked to complete this twice within 6 weeks.
You have been asked to participate because you are an individual with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. We also are looking for participants without a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease to take part as the control group
No, you are under no obligation to participate in this research study. After reading this Information Sheet you will be asked to sign a Consent Form. You have the right to withdraw from this study at any stage in the process or up to a period of two weeks after the data collection is completed.
Yes, your identity will be kept anonymous and no clues to your identity will appear in our project.
All data collected for this research study will be kept confidential for the duration of the study, only available to us and our research supervisor. It will be stored on a memory stick which will only be accessible by passcode. They will be retained for a minimum of seven years and then destroyed.
The results will be presented in our project. They will be seen by our supervisor, a second marker and the external examiner. The study may be published.
We don’t expect any negative consequences to occur during the participation of this study. However, if you feel distressed or uncomfortable while discussing your experiences, please contact us (our contact details appear below)
If you have any difficulties with the technology for this protocol, we are available by phone to help. If you feel in any way distressed, please note there are support services available such as Parkinson's support groups, your GP and the Parkinson’s Association of Ireland.
Prior to the introduction of this study, this study has sought approval from the Faculty of Science & Engineering Research Ethics Committee in the University of Limerick.
If you need any further information, you can contact us:
Our supervisor can be contacted via email at annette.mcelligott@ul.ie
The Chair,
Faculty of Science & Engineering Research Ethics Committee,
University of Limerick,
Limerick.
Tel: 061 237719
I declare that I am willing to take part in research for the project entitled “A protocol for data collection involving voice and speech biomarkers to assist in determining the progression of Parkinson’s Disease: an exploratory study.”
THIS WILL NEED TO IMPLEMENTED USING AN ONLINE FORM, WHICH WILL BE STORED WITH THE CONSENT FORM