The SpeechVive device is a treatment solution easy and effective to use as previously tested in a NIH study. The study showed that the device improved communication in 90 percent of individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) by improving volume, articulation, and speech rate.
The study https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02744911?term=telemedicine&rank=35 titled “Development of Software to Provide the SpeechVive Device via the Internet” is being sponsored by SpeechVive, Inc. www.speechvive.com along with Purdue University www.purdue.edu .
The SpeechVive device is a wearable device that plays multi-talker babble noise in one ear while the person wearing it is talking. The noise coming from the device functions as a natural external cue for people with PD to talk more loudly and clearly. The noise does not interfere with the individual’s ability to hear communication partners.
One group referred to as the “Experimental Telemedicine Group” will use the device via the internet while at the same time, speech-language pathologists will provide treatment via telemedicine. The other group the “Active Comparator In Person Group” will interact with the speech-language pathologist in person at the speech pathologist’s office.
The clinical trial due to start August 2017 ending March 2018, is going to study the one drawback in using the device, namely that it currently must be programmed by a speech-language pathologist for each patient in person.
The goal is to develop a telehealth platform for the device that will enable video conferencing for treatment and remote programming for each patient.
The study is not yet open for participant recruitment but enrollment is estimated to be 110 adults, 30 years and older with PD that will participate in the groups. For more information, email Jessica E. Huber PhD jhuber@purdue.edu or call 765-494-3796.