Evaluating how communication affects speech in people with ALS
Official title: Evaluating Verbal Communication in Structured Interactions: Theoretical and Clinical Implications
Run by Penn State University · NCT06266403 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing how different ways of talking affect speech in people with ALS compared to others their age.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 90 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 300 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Penn State University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (University Park, Pennsylvania) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 5, 2024 |
| Main results expected | February 28, 2029 |
| Study ends | February 28, 2029 |
| Registry record updated | August 7, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06266403 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates include individuals diagnosed with ALS who can produce single words and have no other neurological conditions or cognitive impairments.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with significant cognitive impairments or other neurological disorders may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This clinical trial aims to investigate the impact of different communicative interactions on verbal communication in individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and age-matched speakers. Participants will engage in both solo and interactive speech tasks, including structured and unstructured interactions, to assess differences in speech production. The study will utilize tablets and audio recording devices to capture speech in a comfortable home setting, with protocols explained via videoconferencing. The goal is to clarify how ALS affects speech compared to age-matched peers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance understanding of communication challenges in ALS, potentially leading to improved therapeutic strategies.
How similar studies have gone: While studies on communication in ALS exist, this specific approach focusing on structured interactions is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Speakers with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (PALS-people with ALS) * diagnosis of ALS following the revised EL Escorial criteria * no history of other neurological conditions (e.g., stroke) * no cognitive impairment assessed by Telephone Montreal Cognitive Assessment (mini MoCA) * detectable speech disturbance according to the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) * the ability to produce single words * being a native speaker of American English (AE). Age-matched Speakers * passing the remote hearing screening * having no known speech, language, or neurological disorders per self-report * no cognitive impairment assessed by Telephone Montreal Cognitive Assessment (mini MoCA) * being a functionally native monolingual speaker of American English. Unfamiliar Interlocutors * passing the remote hearing screening * having no known speech, language or neurological disorders per self-report * being a native monolingual speaker of American English * having no experience communicating with people with dysarthria * being between the ages of 18 and 40. Exclusion Criteria: * None - if volunteer meets the inclusion criteria, then they will be enrolled
Where it's running
-
Speech Core, Pennsylvania State University
University Park, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jimin Lee, PhD — The Pennsylvania State University
- Study coordinator: Anne Olmstead, Ph.D.
- Email: ajo150@psu.edu
- Phone: 814-867-3373
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.