Introduction to the Principles of Phonological Descriptions

Speech samples obtained from 39 idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients with vocal pathologies were compared with those from 62 age-matched vocally normal non-PD controls. Voice samples collected from sustained vowel phonation and passage reading were acoustically analyzed using Computer Speech Lab and Multi-Dimensional Voice Program software. Noise-to-harmonic ratio, voice turbulence index (VTI) and soft phonation index (SPI) were incorporated as noise-related measurements, fundamental frequency-tremor intensity index (FTRI), amplitude tremor intensity, fundamental frequency-tremor frequency (Fftr), and amplitude-tremor frequency as tremor-related measurements. Compared with controls, the following results were noted: (1) male and female PD patients exhibited significant differences in acoustic parameters of all frequency and amplitude perturbation measurements and noise-related measurements (except VTI in males); (2) speaking fundamental frequency was significantly higher only in male PD patients; (3) FTRI and Fftr in male (only FTRI in female) PD patients were significantly higher, and (4) disease severity and MDVP analysis showed significant correlations between SPI and the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale Part I (mentation, behavior, mood) and Part II (activities of daily living) in male PD patients; however, this was not the case in female PD patients.

Section: Sff Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vocal Acoustic Characteristics of Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

Tanaka¹,

Nishio²,

Niimi³

2011

“…Japanese is classified as a 'moric language' or a 'mora-counting language' and shows isochronism over mora units, whereas such languages as English, Russian, German, and Hungarian are 'syllabic languages' or 'syllable-counting languages' [23] . Thus, the mora was used as a measurement unit in the present study.…”

Section: Recording Proceduresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in Speaking Fundamental Frequency Characteristics with Aging

Nishio

Niimi

2008

Changes in speaking fundamental frequency (SFF) associated with aging were studied in a total of 374 healthy normal speakers (187 males and 187 females) from adolescent to older age groups. Participants were asked to read a sample passage aloud, and acoustic analysis was performed. The main results were as follows: (1) Males exhibited no significant trend for SFF changes in aging. However, a slight increase was observed in participants aged 70 years or older. (2) Females in their 30s and 40s showed obviously lower frequencies than those in their 20s. Across all age groups, including the 80s, SFF tended to decrease markedly in association with aging. (3) The degree of SFF change in association with aging was much larger in females than in males. In addition, reference intervals (mean ± 1.96 SD) obtained for males and females in each age group are considered useful for clinical detection of abnormalities of SFF, as well as for detection of laryngeal diseases causing SFF abnormality.

“…Japanese is classifi ed as a 'moraic language' or a 'mora-counting language', whereas languages such English, Russian, German and Hungarian are 'syllabic languages' or 'syllable-counting languages' [44] . Special features such as 'sokuon', 'hatsuon' and the long sound (-) characterize a moraic language.…”

Section: Speech Tasks Speaking Rate and Articulation Ratementioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of Speaking Rate, Articulation Rate and Alternating Motion Rate in Dysarthric Speakers

Nishio¹,

Niimi²

2006

Despite recent indications that speaking rate, articulation rate and alternating motion rate (AMR) are sensitive to the influence of neurological disease on speech production in dysarthric speakers, the relationship among these parameters remains largely questionable. In the current study, speech samples were collected from 62 dysarthric speakers and 34 controls while reading a passage. Acoustic analysis investigated speaking rate, articulation rate and AMR and compared these parameters between the dysarthric and control groups and within the control and dysarthric group. The major findings were: (1) Speaking rate, articulation rate and AMR were all markedly lower in dysarthric speakers than in controls. (2) Marked correlations were recognized between speaking rate, articulation rate and AMR in the dysarthric group. (3) Compared with the speaking rate and articulation rate, AMR is characterized as follows: (i) variation was more limited in controls, and (ii) the control group was clearly distinguishable from the dysarthric group. (4) Unlike in controls, AMR in the dysarthric speakers was notably lower than their articulation rate. We therefore conclude that AMR is a more easily detected sign of abnormal articulation than speaking rate and articulation rate.