HealthDay
A new voice analysis technique can identify changes in speech associated with the early stages of Parkinson's disease, a new study has found.
"This is a noninvasive, reliable and accurate technique that only requires the patient to read out a few simple sentences," Shimon Sapir, of the department of communication sciences and disorders at the University of Haifa in Israel, who developed the new test, said in a university news release.
In many cases, Parkinson's disease is diagnosed based on muscle rigidity, tremors, slow movement and loss of balance. But by the time these symptoms are present, the disease is already well-advanced.
Since the muscles controlling voice and speech are affected in most people with Parkinson's disease, Sapir decided to develop an acoustic analysis method that identified differences between the speech of people with Parkinson's disease and healthy people. The method also tracks voice changes that occur in response to treatment or disease progression.
A series of tests showed that the new acoustic analysis technique is effective. The findings were published in a recent issue of the Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing Research.
"Doctors and scientists agree that early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease is important in order to slow down or even prevent the degenerative progress of this disease," Sapir said. "Today no treatment is available to this effect, but when treatment becomes feasible, early diagnosis is going to be crucial. There are various methods of brain imaging for detecting early signs of Parkinson's disease, but these methods are expensive -- particularly when attempting to screen a large population at risk. Hence the importance of developing techniques for early diagnosis that are valid, reliable, non-invasive, simple, readily available and inexpensive."
But Sapir added that "while our initial results are very encouraging, additional studies must be carried out in order to examine the new method. Also, given that the disease and its progression have different effects on individuals, speech analysis must be incorporated into a battery of tests that examine other signs and symptoms of the disease, such as changes in handwriting, cognitive functions, sense of smell, and more."
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Moving story of a Parkinson's patient
SOURCE AuthorHive
Over 1.5 million people in the U.S. suffer from Parkinson's disease, a degenerative neurological disorder most recently brought attention to by Michael J. Fox. In his new release, "Move On with Parkinson's: An Inspirational True Story as Told by a PD Patient" (published by LuLu), author Michael Stanfield shares his struggle with Parkinson's and the medical treatments and exercise that helped reverse his symptoms.
After years of declining health, strength and coordination, Stanfield was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease six years ago. His neurologist declared that he already had PD for at least eight to ten years before that; a surprising and unwelcome finding. He battled PD every day by sticking to a closely monitored program. The author is eager to help other Parkinson's patients who can benefit from his experience with the disease.
According to Stanfield, the new PD patient should act without delay to obtain treatment from a qualified neurologist and to undertake an intensive exercise program. The book includes detailed descriptions and photos of exercises found by the author and his personal trainer to result in the greatest improvement in PD symptoms. "Move On with Parkinson's" maintains an optimistic and helpful attitude that uses humor to keep morale high. Stanfield provides a realistic glimpse into the progressive stages of acceptance, coping and triumph as he tells new patients what to expect and more importantly, how to deal with this debilitating disease:
"When a doctor moves your arm around and lifts it by the wrist or elbow he or she is checking on its rigidity or stiffness. If your arm does not bend freely, especially at the elbow, you may have one of the key symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Jeanne says she noticed that I walked stiffly without swinging my arms, and my right elbow was bent slightly. This description is practically a text book sign of Parkinson's disease. When she called my attention to the stiff, bent elbow, I looked down, straightened my right arm and elbow, and dismissed her observation as unimportant."
"Move On with Parkinson's" is endorsed by Dr. Enrico Fazzini, DO, PhD, Director, APDA Referral and Information Center, NYU Medical Center, Manhattan, New York, "... a motivational must for the newly diagnosed, demonstrates the power of positive thinking over PD."
Over 1.5 million people in the U.S. suffer from Parkinson's disease, a degenerative neurological disorder most recently brought attention to by Michael J. Fox. In his new release, "Move On with Parkinson's: An Inspirational True Story as Told by a PD Patient" (published by LuLu), author Michael Stanfield shares his struggle with Parkinson's and the medical treatments and exercise that helped reverse his symptoms.
After years of declining health, strength and coordination, Stanfield was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease six years ago. His neurologist declared that he already had PD for at least eight to ten years before that; a surprising and unwelcome finding. He battled PD every day by sticking to a closely monitored program. The author is eager to help other Parkinson's patients who can benefit from his experience with the disease.
According to Stanfield, the new PD patient should act without delay to obtain treatment from a qualified neurologist and to undertake an intensive exercise program. The book includes detailed descriptions and photos of exercises found by the author and his personal trainer to result in the greatest improvement in PD symptoms. "Move On with Parkinson's" maintains an optimistic and helpful attitude that uses humor to keep morale high. Stanfield provides a realistic glimpse into the progressive stages of acceptance, coping and triumph as he tells new patients what to expect and more importantly, how to deal with this debilitating disease:
"When a doctor moves your arm around and lifts it by the wrist or elbow he or she is checking on its rigidity or stiffness. If your arm does not bend freely, especially at the elbow, you may have one of the key symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Jeanne says she noticed that I walked stiffly without swinging my arms, and my right elbow was bent slightly. This description is practically a text book sign of Parkinson's disease. When she called my attention to the stiff, bent elbow, I looked down, straightened my right arm and elbow, and dismissed her observation as unimportant."
"Move On with Parkinson's" is endorsed by Dr. Enrico Fazzini, DO, PhD, Director, APDA Referral and Information Center, NYU Medical Center, Manhattan, New York, "... a motivational must for the newly diagnosed, demonstrates the power of positive thinking over PD."
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
