Effects of perceived disability on persuasiveness of computer-synthesized speech.

2002 ◽  
Vol 87 (2) ◽  
pp. 411-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven E. Stern ◽  
John W. Mullennix ◽  
Stephen J. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Disability ◽  
Synthesized Speech

Perception of Distorted "R" Sounds in the Synthesized Speech of Chlldren and Adults

1983 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 516-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald J. Sharf ◽  
Ralph N. Ohde
Keyword(s):  
Speech Language Pathology ◽  
Graduate Level ◽  
Point Scale ◽  
Synthesized Speech ◽  
Language Pathology ◽  
High Degree

Adult and Child manifolds were generated by synthesizing 5 X 5 matrices of/Cej/ type utterances in which F2 and F3 frequencies were systematically varied. Manifold stimuli were presented to 11 graduate-level speech-language pathology students in two conditions: (a) a rating condition in which stimuli were rated on a 4-point scale between good /r/and good /w/; and (b) a labeling condition in which stimuli were labeled as "R," "W," "distorted R." or "N" (for none of the previous choices). It was found that (a) stimuli with low F2 and high F3 frequencies were rated 1.0nmdas;1.4; those with high F2 and low F3 frequencies were rated 3.6–4.0, and those with intermediate values were rated 1.5–3.5; (b) stimuli rated 1.0–1.4 were labeled as "W" and stimuli rated 3.6–4.0 were labeled as "R"; (c) none of the Child manifold stimuli were labeled as distorted "R" and one of the Adult manifold stimuli approached a level of identification that approached the percentage of identification for "R" and "W": and (d) rating and labeling tasks were performed with a high degree of reliability.

scholarly journals Factors associated with dynamic balance in people with Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD): a cross-sectional study using a virtual-reality Four Square Step Test

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Moshe M. H. Aharoni ◽  
Anat V. Lubetzky ◽  
Liraz Arie ◽  
Tal Krasovsky
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Trait Anxiety ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Step Test ◽  
Simulator Sickness ◽  
Balance Confidence ◽  
Task Duration ◽  
Head Kinematics ◽  
Perceived Disability ◽  
Four Square

Abstract Background Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a condition characterized by chronic subjective dizziness and exacerbated by visual stimuli or upright movement. Typical balance tests do not replicate the environments known to increase symptoms in people with PPPD—crowded places with moving objects. Using a virtual reality system, we quantified dynamic balance in people with PPPD and healthy controls in diverse visual conditions. Methods Twenty-two individuals with PPPD and 29 controls performed a square-shaped fast walking task (Four-Square Step Test Virtual Reality—FSST-VR) using a head-mounted-display (HTC Vive) under 3 visual conditions (empty train platform; people moving; people and trains moving). Head kinematics was used to measure task duration, movement smoothness and anterior–posterior (AP) and medio-lateral (ML) ranges of movement (ROM). Heart rate (HR) was monitored using a chest-band. Participants also completed a functional mobility test (Timed-Up-and-Go; TUG) and questionnaires measuring anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; STAI), balance confidence (Activities-Specific Balance Confidence; ABC), perceived disability (Dizziness Handicap Inventory) and simulator sickness (Simulator Sickness Questionnaire). Main effects of visual load and group and associations between performance, functional and self-reported outcomes were examined. Results State anxiety and simulator sickness did not increase following testing. AP-ROM and HR increased with high visual load in both groups (p < 0.05). There were no significant between-group differences in head kinematics. In the high visual load conditions, high trait anxiety and longer TUG duration were moderately associated with reduced AP and ML-ROM in the PPPD group and low ABC and  high perceived disability were associated with reduced AP-ROM (|r| =  0.47 to 0.53; p < 0.05). In contrast, in controls high STAI-trait, low ABC and longer TUG duration were associated with increased AP-ROM (|r| = 0.38 to 0.46; p < 0.05) and longer TUG duration was associated with increased ML-ROM (r = 0.53, p < 0.01). Conclusions FSST-VR may shed light on movement strategies in PPPD beyond task duration. While no main effect of group was observed, the distinct associations with self-reported and functional outcomes, identified using spatial head kinematics, suggest that some people with PPPD reduce head degrees of freedom when performing a dynamic balance task. This supports a potential link between spatial perception and PPPD symptomatology.

An exploration of the utility of hypnosis in pain management among rural pain patients

2007 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
THOMAS THORNBERRY ◽  
JENNIFER SCHAEFFER ◽  
PETER D. WRIGHT ◽  
MINDI C. HALEY ◽  
KENNETH L. KIRSH
Keyword(s):  
Pain Management ◽  
Beck Depression Inventory ◽  
Pain Treatment ◽  
Treatment Center ◽  
Poor Responders ◽  
Chart Audit ◽  
Symptom Scale ◽  
Noninvasive Treatment ◽  
Perceived Disability ◽  
Pain Patients

Objective: Hypnosis is an adjunctive, noninvasive treatment with few side effects that can be useful in the management of chronic pain. However, it has fallen into disfavor in recent years and is often perceived by physicians as simple charlatanism. We evaluated the efficacy of this treatment as used clinically in a large, mostly rural, pain management center.Methods: We conducted a chart review of 300 pain patients from the Pain Treatment Center of the Bluegrass who had undergone hypnosis for their pain concerns. A chart audit tool was developed consisting of basic demographics, pre- and posthypnosis pain ratings, a rating of relaxation achieved posthypnosis, and scores on the Beck Depression Inventory, Perceived Disability Scale, and the Pain Anxiety Symptom Scale.Results: The sample consisted of 79 men (26.3%) and 221 women (73.7%) with a mean age of 46.3 years (SD = 9.9, range = 19–78). Pain levels recorded pre- and posthypnosis revealed significant improvement as a result of the intervention (mean difference = 2.5, t(1,298) = 25.9, p < .001). Patients reported an average of 49.8% improvement in relaxation level posthypnosis (SD = 24.2%) and had a mean score of 19.0 on the Beck Depression Inventory (SD = 9.9), indicating moderate levels of depression. Also, patients saw themselves as severely disabled regarding their ability to engage in physical (8.3/10) or job-related (7.7/10) activities. Attempts to identify predictors of hypnosis success were not fruitful with one exception. “Poor” responders to hypnosis reported greater levels of perceived dysfunction in their sexual functioning compared to the “good” responders, F(1,187) = 7.2, p < .01.Significance of results: Hypnosis appears to be a viable adjunct for pain management patients, including those from rural and relatively disadvantaged backgrounds. Prospective trials are needed to examine the utility of this modality in end-of-life and palliative care patients.

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