Exploring Speech and Language Therapist perspectives of Voice Assisted Technology as a tool for dysarthria: A Qualitative Study (Preprint)

Published: March 27, 2025

People living with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) often experience low speech volume and reduced intelligibility. Research suggests that common voice-assisted technology (VAT) devices, like Amazon Alexa Google Home, can encourage individuals to modify their speech, speaking more clearly, slowly, loudly. This highlights the potential of VAT as a therapeutical clinical tool in language therapy. However, while is emerging novel healthcare technology, gaps exist regarding understanding therapists’ (SLTs) experiences using these devices practice for PD-related voice difficulties. research one two papers which explore explores assisted address hypokinetic dysarthria, secondary PD, from range stakeholder perspectives. paper specifically focuses on insights SLTs. SLTs prior smart speakers people or difficulties, were invited participate focus groups interviews. Between September December 2024, seven participated semi structured interviews topic guide. Discussions informed by published evidence. Results transcribed analysed framework analysis approach managed through NVivo software. Four main themes identified across groups: (1) Potential therapy, including its therapeutic applications, role self-managing dysarthrophonia, perceptions beyond disability-related use, (2) Managing beige flags, challenges posed practical concerns, (3) Empowering become digitally enabled practitioners, education guidance needs around GDPR privacy, technical implementation improved knowledge (4) Envisioning future exploring development an skill, VAT’s delivering LSVT, increasing self-awareness PD. study builds upon previous research, reinforcing may improve volume, clarity, intelligibility facilitate at-home PwPD. before be widely implemented tool, considerations data device limitations, integration must addressed. The areas such designing solutions usability both service users clinicians. Finally, this offers key recommendations difficulties None

Language: Английский

Exploring the Perceptions of Voice Assisted Technology as a tool for speech and voice difficulties among people living with Parkinson’s Disease and their carers: A Qualitative Study (Preprint)

Published: April 3, 2025

Low volume and reduced intelligibility of speech are often reported by people living with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Common household devices that use voice assisted technology require to speak slowly, clearly loudly for them function. For (PwPD), this can be challenging therefore indicates has potential as a therapeutic tool. While is an emerging healthcare technology, gaps exist regarding experiences using the difficulty result PD. This research one two papers which explores address hypokinetic dysarthria, secondary paper reports results based on perspectives PwPD carers. experiencing mild moderate changes, who were smart speaker users, their carers, invited participate in four in-person focus groups. Between September December 2024, 15 carers participated groups audio visually recorded. A semi-structured topic guide informed published evidence was used discussions. Results transcribed analysed through framework analysis approach, (managed NVivo software). 8 7 cares There 5 main themes identified across groups: (1) Therapeutic voice, subthemes changes volume, clarity speech, role VAT feedback, everyday device (2) Distrust concerns surrounding data privacy, listening nature measures users take protect themselves, (3) Frustrations devices, including not understanding, timing out lack conversation, (4) Support needs, impact knowledge need education guidance (5) Design considerations future tool SLT. extends upon previous findings, demonstrating may acceptable PD create intelligibility. Thought must given users’ privacy frustrations before language therapy. Limitations also discussed context study. Future should design solutions current usability challenges professionals. Furthermore, makes several recommendations development difficulties. None

Language: Английский

Using Voice-activated Technologies to Enhance Well-being of Older Adults in Long-term Care Homes

Innovation in Aging, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 8(12)

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Information communication technologies (ICTs) can enhance older adults' health and well-being. Most research on the use of voice-activated ICTs by adults has focused experiences individuals living in community, excluding those who live long-term care homes. Given evidence potential benefits such to mitigate social isolation loneliness, more is needed about their impacts home settings. With this mind, we evaluated engagement with voice- touchscreen-activated one Canada.

Language: Английский