Using digital voice analysis to assess frailty and distress in patients
Digital Voice Analysis as a Measure of Frailty and Distress. A Feasibility Study (DIVAN)
University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland · NCT05783401
This study is testing if analyzing patients' voices can help doctors understand changes in frailty and emotional distress in people with active cancer.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland (other) |
| Locations | 2 sites (Basel and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT05783401 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 and older with active cancer or hematological malignancies who can communicate in German.
Not a fit: Patients with severe voice alterations, cognitive impairments, or those with a life expectancy of less than 14 days may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved early detection and monitoring of frailty and distress in patients, enabling more tailored and effective care.
How similar studies have performed: While the use of digital voice analysis is a relatively novel approach, existing studies have shown promise in using voice features for health assessments, suggesting potential for success in this area.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
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 this trial is running
Basel and 1 other locations
- 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
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Frailty, Distress, Emotional, Frailty monitoring, Distress monitoring, Digital voice analysis, Machine learning, Distress Thermometer, G8 geriatric screening tool