Training listeners to better understand speech from people with Parkinson's disease
Official title: Listener training for improved intelligibility of people with Parkinson's disease
Funded at Utah State University · NIH-11176308 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping people with Parkinson's disease who have trouble speaking by teaching their family and friends how to understand them better, so everyone can enjoy better conversations and feel more connected.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Logan, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $543,578 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC020930-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11176308 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 65 and older who have Parkinson's disease and experience speech intelligibility challenges.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Parkinson's disease or those with mild speech difficulties may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving communication for individuals with Parkinson's disease who experience speech difficulties known as dysarthria. Instead of traditional speech therapy that relies on the speaker, this approach trains listeners, such as family members, to better understand and interpret the speech of those affected. By enhancing the listener's skills, the goal is to reduce social isolation and improve the quality of interactions for patients. The methodology involves targeted training sessions that leverage perceptual learning principles to help listeners adapt to the speech patterns of their loved ones.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly enhance communication and social engagement for individuals with Parkinson's disease, leading to improved quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While listener-targeted approaches are less common, similar strategies in communication rehabilitation have shown promise in enhancing understanding and interaction in other populations.
Where this research is happening
-
Utah State University
Logan, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Borrie, Stephanie Anna — Utah State University
- Study coordinator: Borrie, Stephanie Anna
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.