Ongoing Research
While steady sales figures, low return rates and outstanding customer feedback are strong indicators of the efficacy of SpeechEasy, they do not provide the scientific hard data that is only observable through controlled studies. In the interest of supplying clients and speech professionals with as much information as possible, we encourage and support ongoing research in regard to efficacy and usefulness of SpeechEasy to supplement the existing studies previously conducted by the inventors of SpeechEasy at East Carolina University. Currently, there are two major independent research studies being conducted in order to measure long-term effectiveness of the device, utilizing two different demographics.
Molt Study
Larry Molt, Ph.D., of the Neuroprocesses Research Laboratory and Communications Department at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, is in the midst of a study involving people who stutter, the typical users of SpeechEasy. Dr. Molt is collecting data from 35 participants and 10 controls over 12-month periods; the first set of 12 participants has already completed the 12-month period. Dr. Molt will continue to follow the remaining 23 subjects until they have completed their 12-month period, and data collection beyond the 12-month mark is also possible in these studies.
This research is collecting data divided into three components:
- Usage Patterns and Satisfaction Ratings
- Attitudinal/ Perceptional Measures
- Speech Fluency and Naturalness Measures
The basic preliminary results from this research indicate that these SpeechEasy users:
- Gained measurable fluency from the device
- Did not revert to baseline levels of stuttering, even in cases where the effectiveness of the device diminished somewhat over time
- "Virtually all" participants expressed high satisfaction with the device
Dr. Molt intends to announce updates, as they become available, at future ASHA conventions.
Rush University Clinical Trial
One intriguing and unanswered question regarding SpeechEasy is whether the device could be useful for people with speech difficulties related to other conditions, such as autism or Parkinson’s Disease. This question is being addressed through a study conducted at Rush University in Chicago. Emily Wang, Ph.D., and Leo V. Metman, Ph.D., are investigating whether patients with speech disorders consequential to Parkinson’s Disease could increase their fluency by using SpeechEasy. This ambitious study will involve up to 100 patients with Parkinson’s Disease Dysarthria, including both sexes within the eligible ages of 25 to 90, but excluding those who have had previous brain surgery, dementia, depression, major hearing loss, strokes or other neurological diseases. The expectation of this study is that SpeechEasy will help these patients initiate speech more readily and allow them to maintain speech levels once started.
Preliminary results demonstrated that, out of eight patients, seven exhibited an improvement in their speech and communication levels. The findings of this research potentially promise to have major ramifications towards an improved quality of life for Parkinson’s patients. The study, which began in June, 2006, is expected to conclude in May, 2009. For more information on this study, visit http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00488657?order=1
Future Studies
If you are interested in conducting your own clinical study involving SpeechEasy, please submit your proposal to info@speecheasy.com
