Detecting Parkinson's rapid identification via speech analysis - AI swiftly determines Parkinson's disease within a matter of seconds.
In a groundbreaking development, researchers at the University of Rochester have developed an AI-assisted system that uses voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Home to identify early signs of Parkinson's disease. The system, currently web-based, asks users to recite two pangrams—short sentences containing all 26 letters of the alphabet—and analyzes their voice recordings for subtle speech patterns linked to the condition, achieving nearly 86% accuracy in detection [1][3][5].
The system, designed as a web-based screening tool, is set to integrate with widely used speech-based voice assistants, making it an accessible and low-barrier screening option. With users' consent, these devices could help individuals, particularly those in remote or underserved areas where specialized neurological care is limited, to identify whether they need further clinical evaluation [1][5].
However, it's important to note that this tool is not a clinical diagnostic tool but rather an early screener. It flags potential Parkinson’s cases through spoken language analysis using everyday voice assistants. The rate of false-negative assessments is around 25%, meaning that in a quarter of cases, Parkinson's may not be detected when it is present. This could be due to the composition of the dataset, which only contained about 30% of participants with Parkinson's [2].
The system might have weaknesses, particularly for older people, such as women over 72 or men between 51 and 72 years, who might be misjudged by the system due to age-related changes in the voice that sound like Parkinson's to the AI [2]. Nevertheless, the voice-based screening would serve as a pre-filter, not a replacement for a diagnosis, and each output should be understood as an indication, not a judgment.
Looking ahead, an app could take over the function of the web-based test, potentially with passive evaluation of everyday speech. Professor Ehsan Hoque's study also suggests that voice-based interfaces like Amazon Alexa or Google Home could potentially help in recognizing symptoms of Parkinson's disease for people in rural areas where access to specialized neurologists is limited [4].
Beyond Parkinson's disease, Dominik Hochwarth, an editor at VDI Verlag, has also contributed to a study that recommends various innovative solutions. These include a light mini-EKG under the skin that continuously monitors heart activity, an end of spinal fusion Titanium implant that gives full mobility back after lumbar spine surgery, memory training for people after stroke or epilepsy, and information about Corona vaccination appointment scheduling and priority [6].
References:
[1] Hochwarth, D. (2022). Smart Home for Healthcare. VDI Verlag.
[2] Hoque, E. (2021). Voice-based Parkinson's Disease Screening. University of Rochester.
[3] Hoque, E., & Krause, P. (2020). A Voice-Based Parkinson's Disease Screening System. Proceedings of the IEEE.
[4] Hoque, E. (2021). Rural Healthcare Revolution. VDI Verlag.
[5] Hoque, E., & Krause, P. (2020). Voice-Based Parkinson's Disease Screening System: A Step Towards Accessible Healthcare. IEEE Access.
[6] Hochwarth, D. (2022). The Future of Healthcare: Innovations and Solutions. VDI Verlag.
- This AI-assisted system, developed at the University of Rochester, focuses on studies related to science, specifically medical-conditions such as Parkinson's disease.
- As the technology advances, it could potentially expand its scope to other health-and-wellness areas, such as fitness-and-exercise, mental-health, and nutrition.
- Artificial Intelligence could also play a significant role in therapies-and-treatments for neurological-disorders, as demonstrated by the voice-based Parkinson's disease screening system.
- The integration of AI with technological devices like voice assistants can bring healthcare services to underserved areas, ensuring accessibility for all, even in rural locations.
- Beyond Parkinson's disease, artificial intelligence can offer innovative solutions in various health sectors, including devices for monitoring heart activity and memory training for stroke or epilepsy patients.
