Using digital voice analysis to assess frailty and distress in patients

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to evaluate whether digital voice analysis (DVA) can quantitatively measure changes in frailty and emotional distress in patients, particularly those with active cancer. By recording audio samples from patients using various devices, the study will analyze specific acoustic parameters over time to identify correlations with the patients' wellbeing. The approach includes having patients describe images to facilitate relaxed speech, allowing for both inter-subject and intra-subject comparisons of audio features and clinical evaluations. This innovative methodology seeks to provide a more objective means of monitoring frailty and distress in individuals who may struggle to communicate their needs.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Active cancer or haemato-oncological malignancy
* Adults (≥ 18 years)
* Ability to understand, speak and read German language fluently
* Ability to provide written consent
* Sufficient or corrected vision to see the images
* Sufficient auditory comprehension for participation in the study based on the therapist's clinical opinion
* Ability to concentrate for 20-30 minutes based on the investigator's clinical opinion
* Signed informed consent to the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Aphonia, dysphonia or other obvious voice alterations of patient's voice
* Life-expectancy shorter ≤ 14 days as judged by a physician or nurse via "surprise question"
* Breathlessness whilst speaking
* Cognitive impairment as judged by physician or Mini-Cog in the G8 screening tool
* Severe physical, emotional or existential suffering because of which the enrollment and participation in the study would result in patient burden, as judged by the treating physicians and their multiprofessional team members

Where it's running

• Palliativzentrum Hildegard, Basel
  Basel, Switzerland Recruiting
• Kantonsspital Baselland, Klinik für Onkologie, Hämatologie und Immuntherapie
  Liestal, Switzerland Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Marcus Vetter, PD Dr. med. — Kantonsspital Baselland, Klinik für Onkologie, Hämatologie und Immuntherapie
• Study coordinator: Marcus Vetter, PD Dr. med.
• Email: marcus.vetter@ksbl.ch
• Phone: +41 61 925 2525

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.