skip to main content
US FlagAn official website of the United States government
dot gov icon
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
https lock icon
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Explore Research Products in the PAR
It may take a few hours for recently added research products to appear in PAR search results.


Title: Use of Motion Capture Technology to Study Extrinsic Laryngeal Muscle Tension and Hyperfunction
ObjectivesPatients with primary muscle tension dysphonia (pMTD) commonly report paralaryngeal pain and discomfort, and extrinsic laryngeal muscle (ELM) tension and hyperfunction are commonly implicated. However, quantitative physiological metrics to study ELM movement patterns for the characterization of pMTD diagnosis and monitoring of treatment progress are lacking. The objectives of this study were to validate motion capture (MoCap) technology to study ELM kinematics, determine whether MoCap could distinguish ELM tension and hyperfunction between individuals with and without pMTD, and investigate relationships between common clinical voice metrics and ELM kinematics. MethodsThirty subjects (15 with pMTD and 15 controls) were recruited for the study. Sixteen markers were placed on different anatomical landmarks on the chin and anterior neck. Movements across these regions were tracked during four voice and speech tasks using two three‐dimensional cameras. Movement displacement and variability were determined based on 16 key‐points and 53 edges. ResultsIntraclass correlation coefficients demonstrated high intra‐ and inter‐rater reliability (p's < 0.001). Other than greater movement displacements around the thyrohyoid space during longer phrasing (reading passage, 30‐s diadochokinetics) and more movement variability in patients with pMTD, kinematic patterns between groups were similar across the 53 edges for the four voice and speech tasks. There were also no significant correlations between ELM kinematics and standard voice metrics. ConclusionResults demonstrate the feasibility and reliability of MoCap for the study of ELM kinematics. Level of Evidence3Laryngoscope, 133:3472–3481, 2023  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2007661
PAR ID:
10467976
Author(s) / Creator(s):
 ;  ;  ;  ;  
Publisher / Repository:
Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
Date Published:
Journal Name:
The Laryngoscope
Volume:
133
Issue:
12
ISSN:
0023-852X
Format(s):
Medium: X Size: p. 3472-3481
Size(s):
p. 3472-3481
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
More Like this
  1. ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; (, JMIR Research Protocols)
    JMIR (Ed.)
    Psychotherapy, particularly for youth, is a pressing challenge in the health care system. Traditional methods are resource-intensive, and there is a need for objective benchmarks to guide therapeutic interventions. Automated emotion detection from speech, using artificial intelligence, presents an emerging approach to address these challenges. Speech can carry vital information about emotional states, which can be used to improve mental health care services, especially when the person is suffering. ObjectiveThis study aims to develop and evaluate automated methods for detecting the intensity of emotions (anger, fear, sadness, and happiness) in audio recordings of patients’ speech. We also demonstrate the viability of deploying the models. Our model was validated in a previous publication by Alemu et al with limited voice samples. This follow-up study used significantly more voice samples to validate the previous model. MethodsWe used audio recordings of patients, specifically children with high adverse childhood experience (ACE) scores; the average ACE score was 5 or higher, at the highest risk for chronic disease and social or emotional problems; only 1 in 6 have a score of 4 or above. The patients’ structured voice sample was collected by reading a fixed script. In total, 4 highly trained therapists classified audio segments based on a scoring process of 4 emotions and their intensity levels for each of the 4 different emotions. We experimented with various preprocessing methods, including denoising, voice-activity detection, and diarization. Additionally, we explored various model architectures, including convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and transformers. We trained emotion-specific transformer-based models and a generalized CNN-based model to predict emotion intensities. ResultsThe emotion-specific transformer-based model achieved a test-set precision and recall of 86% and 79%, respectively, for binary emotional intensity classification (high or low). In contrast, the CNN-based model, generalized to predict the intensity of 4 different emotions, achieved test-set precision and recall of 83% for each. ConclusionsAutomated emotion detection from patients’ speech using artificial intelligence models is found to be feasible, leading to a high level of accuracy. The transformer-based model exhibited better performance in emotion-specific detection, while the CNN-based model showed promise in generalized emotion detection. These models can serve as valuable decision-support tools for pediatricians and mental health providers to triage youth to appropriate levels of mental health care services. 
    more » « less
  2. ; ; (, American Journal of Biological Anthropology)
    Abstract ObjectivesMusculoskeletal modeling is a powerful approach for studying the biomechanics and energetics of locomotion.Australopithecus (A.) afarensisis among the best represented fossil hominins and provides critical information about the evolution of musculoskeletal design and locomotion in the hominin lineage. Here, we develop and evaluate a three‐dimensional (3‐D) musculoskeletal model of the pelvis and lower limb ofA. afarensisfor predicting muscle‐tendon moment arms and moment‐generating capacities across lower limb joint positions encompassing a range of locomotor behaviors. Materials and MethodsA 3‐D musculoskeletal model of an adultA. afarensispelvis and lower limb was developed based primarily on the A.L. 288‐1 partial skeleton. The model includes geometric representations of bones, joints and 35 muscle‐tendon units represented using 43 Hill‐type muscle models. Two muscle parameter datasets were created from human and chimpanzee sources. 3‐D muscle‐tendon moment arms and isometric joint moments were predicted over a wide range of joint positions. ResultsPredicted muscle‐tendon moment arms generally agreed with skeletal metrics, and corresponded with human and chimpanzee models. Human and chimpanzee‐based muscle parameterizations were similar, with some differences in maximum isometric force‐producing capabilities. The model is amenable to size scaling from A.L. 288‐1 to the larger KSD‐VP‐1/1, which subsumes a wide range of size variation inA. afarensis. DiscussionThis model represents an important tool for studying the integrated function of the neuromusculoskeletal systems inA. afarensis. It is similar to current human and chimpanzee models in musculoskeletal detail, and will permit direct, comparative 3‐D simulation studies. 
    more » « less
  3. ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; (, JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies)
    BackgroundLow back pain (LBP) is a significant public health problem that can result in physical disability and financial burden for the individual and society. Physical therapy is effective for managing LBP and includes evaluation of posture and movement, interventions directed at modifying posture and movement, and prescription of exercises. However, physical therapists have limited tools for objective evaluation of low back posture and movement and monitoring of exercises, and this evaluation is limited to the time frame of a clinical encounter. There is a need for a valid tool that can be used to evaluate low back posture and movement and monitor exercises outside the clinic. To address this need, a fabric-based, wearable sensor, Motion Tape (MT), was developed and adapted for a low back use case. MT is a low-profile, disposable, self-adhesive, skin-strain sensor developed by spray coating piezoresistive graphene nanocomposites directly onto commercial kinesiology tape. ObjectiveThe objectives of this study were to (1) validate MT for measuring low back posture and movement and (2) assess the acceptability of MT for users. MethodsA total of 10 participants without LBP were tested. A 3D optical motion capture system was used as a reference standard to measure low back kinematics. Retroreflective markers and a matrix of MTs were placed on the low back to measure kinematics (motion capture) and strain (MT) simultaneously during low back movements in the sagittal, frontal, and axial planes. Cross-correlation coefficients were calculated to evaluate the concurrent validity of MT strain in reference motion capture kinematics during each movement. The acceptability of MT was assessed using semistructured interviews conducted with each participant after laboratory testing. Interview data were analyzed using rapid qualitative analysis to identify themes and subthemes of user acceptability. ResultsVisual inspection of concurrent MT strain and kinematics of the low back indicated that MT can distinguish between different movement directions. Cross-correlation coefficients between MT strain and motion capture kinematics ranged from –0.915 to 0.983, and the strength of the correlations varied across MT placements and low back movement directions. Regarding user acceptability, participants expressed enthusiasm toward MT and believed that it would be helpful for remote interventions for LBP but provided suggestions for improvement. ConclusionsMT was able to distinguish between different low back movements, and most MTs demonstrated moderate to high correlation with motion capture kinematics. This preliminary laboratory validation of MT provides a basis for future device improvements, which will also involve testing in a free-living environment. Overall, users found MT acceptable for use in physical therapy for managing LBP. 
    more » « less
  4. ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; et al (, JMIR Cancer)
    BackgroundFrequent sensor-assisted monitoring of changes in swallowing function may help improve detection of radiation-associated dysphagia before it becomes permanent. While our group has prototyped an epidermal strain/surface electromyography sensor that can detect minute changes in swallowing muscle movement, it is unknown whether patients with head and neck cancer would be willing to wear such a device at home after radiation for several months. ObjectiveWe iteratively assessed patients’ design preferences and perceived barriers to long-term use of the prototype sensor. MethodsIn study 1 (questionnaire only), survivors of pharyngeal cancer who were 3-5 years post treatment and part of a larger prospective study were asked their design preferences for a hypothetical throat sensor and rated their willingness to use the sensor at home during the first year after radiation. In studies 2 and 3 (iterative user testing), patients with and survivors of head and neck cancer attending visits at MD Anderson’s Head and Neck Cancer Center were recruited for two rounds of on-throat testing with prototype sensors while completing a series of swallowing tasks. Afterward, participants were asked about their willingness to use the sensor during the first year post radiation. In study 2, patients also rated the sensor’s ease of use and comfort, whereas in study 3, preferences were elicited regarding haptic feedback. ResultsThe majority of respondents in study 1 (116/138, 84%) were willing to wear the sensor 9 months after radiation, and participant willingness rates were similar in studies 2 (10/14, 71.4%) and 3 (12/14, 85.7%). The most prevalent reasons for participants’ unwillingness to wear the sensor were 9 months being excessive, unwanted increase in responsibility, and feeling self-conscious. Across all three studies, the sensor’s ability to detect developing dysphagia increased willingness the most compared to its appearance and ability to increase adherence to preventive speech pathology exercises. Direct haptic signaling was also rated highly, especially to indicate correct sensor placement and swallowing exercise performance. ConclusionsPatients and survivors were receptive to the idea of wearing a personalized risk sensor for an extended period during the first year after radiation, although this may have been limited to well-educated non-Hispanic participants. A significant minority of patients expressed concern with various aspects of the sensor’s burden and its appearance. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03010150; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03010150 
    more » « less
  5. ; ; ; ; ; (, Frontiers in Audiology and Otology)
    ObjectivesMicrointeraction-based Ecological Momentary Assessment (micro-EMA) is a smartwatch-based tool that delivers single-question surveys, enabling respondents to quickly report their real-time experiences. The objectives of the two studies presented here were to evaluate micro-EMA's psychometric characteristics and feasibility across three response formats (2-point, 5-point, and 10-point scales) for adults with hearing loss. DesignIn the first study, thirty-two participants completed a dual-task experiment aimed at assessing the construct validity, responsiveness, intrusiveness, and test-retest reliability of micro-EMA across the three response formats. Participants listened to sentences at five signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) ranging from −3 to 9 dB relative to the SNR for 50% speech understanding, answered the question “Hearing well?” on smartwatches, and repeated the sentences. In the second study, twenty-one participants wore smartwatches over 6 days. Every 15 min, participants were prompted to answer the question “Hearing well?” using one of the three response formats for 2 days. Participants provided feedback on their experience with micro-EMA. ResultsIn the dual-task experiment, participants reported improved hearing performance in micro-EMA as SNRs and speech recognition scores increased across all three response formats, supporting the tool's construct validity. Statistical models indicated that the 5-point and 10-point scales yielded larger relative changes between SNRs, suggesting higher responsiveness, compared to the 2-point scale. Participants completed surveys significantly faster with the 2-point scale, indicating lower intrusiveness, compared to the 5-point and 10-point scales. Correlation analysis revealed that over two visits 1 week apart, the 2-point scale had the poorest test-retest reliability, while the 5-point scale had the highest. In the field trial, participants completed 79.6% of the prompted surveys, with each participant averaging 42.9 surveys per day. Although participants experienced interruptions due to frequent prompts, annoyance and distraction levels were low. Most participants preferred the 5-point scale. ConclusionsThe dual-task experiment suggested that micro-EMA using the 5-point scale demonstrated superior psychometric characteristics compared to the 2-point and 10-point scales at the tested SNRs. The field trial further supported its feasibility for evaluating hearing performance in adults with hearing loss. Additional research is needed to explore the potential applications of micro-EMA in audiology research. 
    more » « less
  • Citation Formats
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago
  • BibTeX
  • Save / Share this Record
  • Send to Email