scholarly journals Auditory-Motor Perturbations of Voice Fundamental Frequency: Feedback Delay and Amplification

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (9) ◽  
pp. 2846-2860 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hasini R. Weerathunge ◽  
Defne Abur ◽  
Nicole M. Enos ◽  
Katherine M. Brown ◽  
Cara E. Stepp

Purpose Gradual and sudden perturbations of vocal fundamental frequency ( f o ), also known as adaptive and reflexive f o perturbations, are techniques to study the influence of auditory feedback on voice f o control mechanisms. Previous vocal f o perturbations have incorporated varied setup-specific feedback delays and amplifications. Here, we investigated the effects of feedback delays (10–100 ms) and amplifications on both adaptive and reflexive f o perturbation paradigms, encapsulating the variability in equipment-specific delays (3–45 ms) and amplifications utilized in previous experiments. Method Responses to adaptive and reflexive f o perturbations were recorded in 24 typical speakers for four delay conditions (10, 40, 70, and 100 ms) or three amplification conditions (−10, +5, and +10 dB relative to microphone) in a counterbalanced order. Repeated-measures analyses of variance were carried out on the magnitude of f o responses to determine the effect of feedback condition. Results There was a statistically significant effect of the level of auditory feedback amplification on the response magnitude during adaptive f o perturbations, driven by the difference between +10- and −10-dB amplification conditions (hold phase difference: M = 38.3 cents, SD = 51.2 cents; after-effect phase: M = 66.1 cents, SD = 84.6 cents). No other statistically significant effects of condition were found for either paradigm. Conclusions Experimental equipment delays below 100 ms in behavioral paradigms do not affect the results of f o perturbation paradigms. As there is no statistically significant difference between the response magnitudes elicited by +5- and +10-dB auditory amplification conditions, this study is a confirmation that an auditory feedback amplification of +5 dB relative to microphone is sufficient to elicit robust compensatory responses for f o perturbation paradigms.

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 91 (4) ◽  
pp. 816-819
Author(s):  
Jeanne B. Funk ◽  
John B. Chessare ◽  
Michael T. Weaver ◽  
Anita R. Exley

Given that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more impulsive than peers, this study explored whether they are correspondingly more creative, and whether creativity declines when impulsivity is decreased through methylphenidate (Ritalin) therapy. A repeated-measures quasi-experimental design was used to compare the performance of 19 boys with previously diagnosed ADHD and 21 comparison boys aged 8 through 11 on two administrations of alternate forms of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking-Figural (nonverbal). Boys with ADHD received prescribed methylphenidate only for the first session. Overall, mean Torrance summary scores for comparison boys (mean = 115.1, SD = 16.1) were higher than for boys with ADHD (mean = 107.6, SD = 12.7). However, the difference between means was small (7%) and did not meet the 25% criterion for a clinically significant difference. No changes in performance over time (comparison group) or medication state (ADHD group) were observed. These data suggest that, when measured nonverbally, the creative thinking performance of boys with ADHD is not superior to that of peers who do not have ADHD. Regarding the effects of methylphenidate, prescribed therapy did not influence performance on this measure of creative thinking.


2003 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean P. Wall ◽  
Carl G. Mattacola ◽  
C. Buz Swanik ◽  
Susan Levenstein

Context:Overreaching can be beneficial, but there is a risk of overtraining.Objective:To investigate the difference in sleep efficiency between overreached and nonover-reached swimmers.Design:Repeated-measures, between-subjects. Swimmers were determined to be overreaching if 2 or more of their consecutive weekly swim times increased by 5% or more from baseline.Participants:9 competitive high school and university sprinter swimmers.Intervention:24-h wrist actigraph.Main Outcome Measure:Sleep efficiency as measured by the actigraph.Results:There was a significant difference in sleep efficiency on night 1 between the overreached and nonoverreached swimmers (P = .008), as well as in their times after averaging over all 5 trials and adjusting for baseline (P = .016). By the fourth swim trial, the overreached swimmers had significantly slower swim times than those of the nonoverreached swimmers (P = .001).Conclusions:Sleep efficiency shows potential as an objective, noninvasive predictor and monitor of overreaching in swimmers.


2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-44
Author(s):  
Pavel Vacenovský ◽  
Tomáš Vencúrik ◽  
Martin Sebera

The aim of the study was to determine and compare the reactive agility league players and players of regional competitions and its changes due to sport-specific warm-up. The research sample consisted of 43 players, who were divided into two groups. First group consisted of 22 players from teams playing in the national league competitions (24.3 ± 5.6 years, body height 179.4 ± 8 cm, body weight 74.8 ± 10.4 kg), the second group of 21 players playing lower regional competitions (26.7 ± 5.64 years, body height 180.2 ± 7.7 cm, body weight 77.8 ± 10.5 kg). We used Fitro agility test modified for table tennis before and after warm-up. For data analysis was used two-way ANOVA with repeated measures. When comparing reactive agility, we found significant difference before and after the sport-specific warm-up for group of league players (885.94 ± 122.69 ms before the warm-up, 842.80 ± 119.48 ms after the warm-up, an improvement of 4.87 %, p <0.0004) and also for the group of players from lower competitions (932.96 ± 114.78ms before the warm-up, 871.90 ± 119.68 ms after the warm-up, an improvement of 6.54 %, p < 0.0002). Although league players achieved better results, the difference between the groups was found not significant. The nonsignificant statistic values for interaction indicates, that league players did not respond to the sport-specific warm-up differently than players from lower competitions. Sport-specific warm-up is important for improving the reactive agility and therefore should not be underestimated.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 195-199
Author(s):  
Sheida Shabanian ◽  
Ali Ahmadi ◽  
Razieh Mohammadi ◽  
Gholamreza Shabanian

Background and aims: Postoperative pain has always been considered by surgeons because of its various complications. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of intravenous, subcutaneous and suppository morphine in reducing post-hysterectomy pain. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, 90 patients undergoing hysterectomy were randomized into three groups of 30 each using simple randomization, namely, intravenous, subcutaneous, and suppository morphine (10 mg). Before intervention and 4, 8, 12, and 16 hours after intervention, pain intensity was measured using visual analogue scale (VAS). Relative frequency of nausea, vomiting, itching, bradypnea, and apnea in all groups was recorded. Data were analyzed by SPSS version16.0. Results: Mean pain severity at 0 hour postoperatively (P=0.004), 4 hours postoperatively (P=0.009), 8 hours postoperatively (P=0.009), and 12 hours postoperatively (P=0.001) was significantly higher in the suppository morphine group than in the other two groups. There was no significant difference in pain severity at 16 hours postoperatively among the three groups (P=0.446). According to the results of repeated measures ANOVA, changes in pain severity at the five intervals were statistically significant in all three groups (subcutaneous, intravenous, and suppository morphine groups) (P<0.001). There was also a statistically significant difference in pain severity at the studied intervals among the three groups (P<0.001). The frequency of nausea (P=0.05) and vomiting (P=0.84) was higher in the suppository group than in the other two groups, although the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study indicated better efficacy of subcutaneous and intravenous morphine in reducing post-hysterectomy pain compared with suppository morphine.


2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 1492
Author(s):  
Murat Akyüz ◽  
Murat Özmaden ◽  
Yeliz Doğru ◽  
Evren Karademir ◽  
Yeşim Aydın ◽  
...  

This study was conducted to examine the effects of static and dynamic stretching exercises on strength, flexibility, speed and balance in young basketball players. 10 volunteers from the 16 year old male basketball team of Pınar Karsiyaka Sports Club participated in the study. The average age of the athletes is 16 ± 0,0 (year) and the average of the height is 188 ± 0,08 (cm). The study consists of three parts. On the first day, dynamic stretching exercises were performed on the second day and static stretching exercises and performance tests were performed on the third day without performing any exercise. Applied performance tests were hand grip strength, back-leg strength, sit-in flexibility test, 20 m. Sprint test and flamingo balance test. The obtained data were analyzed with the variance analysis (ANOVA test) in the repeated measures using the SPSS 23.0 package program. As a result of the study, the flexibility of the static and dynamic stretching exercises in the data obtained, the difference in the left handed claw strength and the speed of the dynamic stretching exercises were significant (p <0.05). On the other hand, no statistically significant difference was found between static and dynamic stretching exercises and back leg strength and balance (p> 0.05). As a result, it can be said that static and dynamic stretching exercises have a positive effect on flexibility, strength and speed. ÖzetBu çalışma genç basketbolcularda statik ve dinamik germe egzersizlerinin kuvvet, esneklik, sürat ve denge üzerindeki etkisini incelemek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Çalışmaya Pınar Karşıyaka Spor Kulübünün 16 yaş erkek basketbol takımından 10 gönüllü katılmıştır. Sporcuların yaş ortalamaları 16±0,0 (yıl), boy ortalamaları 188±0,08 (cm)’dir. Çalışma üç bölümden oluşmaktadır. Birinci gün herhangi bir egzersiz uygulanmadan, ikinci gün dinamik germe egzersizleri ve üçüncü gün statik germe egzersizleri ile performans testleri uygulanmıştır. Uygulanan performans testleri sırasıyla el kavrama kuvveti, sırt-bacak kuvveti, otur-eriş esneklik testi, 20 m. sprint testi ve flamingo denge testinden oluşmaktadır. Elde edilen veriler SPSS 23.0 paket programı kullanılarak tekrarlı ölçümlerde Varyans Analizi (Anova Testi) ile analiz edilmiştir. Çalışma sonucunda elde edilen verilerde statik ve dinamik germe egzersizlerinin esnekliğe, dinamik germe egzersizlerinin sol el pençe kuvveti ve sürat üzerinde anlamlı bir farklılık meydana gelmiştir (p<0.05). Diğer yandan, statik ve dinamik germe egzersizleri ile sırt bacak kuvveti ve denge üzerinde anlamlı bir farklılık bulunamamıştır (p>0.05). Sonuç olarak, statik ve dinamik germe egzersizlerinin esneklik, kuvvet ve sürat üzerinde olumlu etkisi olduğu söylenebilir.


2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-17
Author(s):  
Charles R. Larson

Abstract Previous research has failed to identify precise neural mechanisms involved in auditory feedback regulation of vocalization. The goal of this research project was to improve our understanding of neural mechanisms controlling the voice. Participants were instructed to sustain a vowel or repeat phrases during which perturbations in voice pitch or loudness feedback were presented. Voice signal averaging, neuroimaging, laryngeal electromyography, and cortical event-related potential techniques were used to measure vocal and neural responses to perturbed feedback. Pitch- and loudness-shifted voice feedback triggers small automatic corrective responses in voice fundamental frequency and amplitude during vowel or speech production. Larger responses during speech suggest task modulation of these responses. Larger responses were also recorded in individuals with Parkinson's disease and children with autism than in normal controls. Neural recording techniques revealed cortical activation during these responses. Cortical mechanisms are involved in generating corrective vocal responses to perturbations in voice auditory feedback. This system helps control the voice during speech and dynamically adjusts responses to meet vocal goals. Abnormally large responses in individuals with Parkinson's disease and autism suggest that the audio-vocal mechanisms just described may be involved in the speech and vocalizations of these individuals as well.


2010 ◽  
Vol 128 (3) ◽  
pp. 1306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Liu ◽  
Zhaocong Chen ◽  
Charles R. Larson ◽  
Dongfeng Huang ◽  
Hanjun Liu

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (08) ◽  
pp. 660-670 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristi Oeding ◽  
Michael Valente

Background: SoundTracker is an algorithm in Widex's Compass fitting software that could potentially be used to estimate a patient's aided sensation level (SL). SoundTracker's accuracy of estimating a patient's SL has never been verified in comparison to SL measured with commercially available real-ear analyzers. Purpose: Determine whether statistically significant differences are present between the estimated SL of the Widex SoundTracker software application and the measured SL of the Audioscan Verifit and Frye 6500 real-ear analyzers at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz. Research Design: This study used a randomized repeated measures design to determine differences in SL between SoundTracker and the Verifit and 6500. Study Sample: Ten subjects (N = 20 ears) were recruited who were experienced users of behind-the-ear hearing aids with conventional vented earmolds and had bilateral sensorineural hearing loss that was >30 dB HL below 1000 Hz and ≤70 dB HL to 4000 Hz. Data Collection and Analysis: Real-ear in-situ thresholds (dB sound pressure level [SPL]) and real-ear aided responses (REAR; dB SPL) were measured at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz to determine differences in SL between SoundTracker, Verifit, and 6500. A three-factor repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was utilized to determine differences between method (real-ear analyzers and SoundTracker), analyzer (Verifit and 6500), and frequency (500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz). Results: Mean differences in measured SL for the Verifit and 6500 were ≤2 dB when compared to the estimated SL using SoundTracker. A statistically significant difference in SL was present between the Verifit and SoundTracker at 2000 Hz (p < 0.01), but no significant differences were present at 500, 1000, and 4000 Hz. A statistically significant difference in SL was present between the 6500 and SoundTracker at 4000 Hz (p < 0.01), but no significant differences were present at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz. Mean differences in measured SL between the real-ear analyzers (difference of SoundTracker SL minus Verifit SL compared to the difference of SoundTracker SL minus 6500 SL) were ≤2 dB with a statistically significant difference present at 2000 Hz (p < 0.01), but no statistically significant differences were present at 500, 1000, or 4000 Hz. Conclusions: Nearly 85% of the differences between the estimated SoundTracker SL and the measured SLs of the Verifit and 6500 were ≤2 dB. Despite some limitations of this study, SoundTracker could be useful as a counseling tool to illustrate to patients which sounds are audible or inaudible when unaided and aided.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sreenivasulu Puram ◽  
Hyung Chae Suh ◽  
Seung Un Kim ◽  
Bharathi Bethapudi ◽  
Joshua Allan Joseph ◽  
...  

A randomized, double blind placebo controlled study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of GutGard (root extract ofGlycyrrhiza glabra) in the management ofHelicobacter pylori(H. pylori) gastric load. Participants diagnosed withH. pyloriinfection were randomly assigned to two groups to orally receive 150 mg of GutGard (n=55) or placebo (n=52) once daily for 60 days.H. pyloriinfection was assessed using13C-urea breath test (13C-UBT) at days 0, 30, and 60. Stool Antigen test (HpSA) was also performed on days 0, 30, and 60. Repeated measures of analysis of variance (RMANOVA), chi-square, and Fisher's exact probability tests were used to compare the treatment outcomes. A significant interaction effect between group and time (P=0.00) and significant difference in mean Delta Over Baseline (DOB) values between GutGard (n=50) and placebo (n=50) treated groups after intervention period were observed. On day 60, the results of HpSA test were negative in 28 subjects (56%) in GutGard treated group whereas in placebo treated group only 2 subjects (4%) showed negative response; the difference between the groups was statistically significant. On day 60, the results of13C-UBT were negative in 24 (48%) in GutGard treated group and the difference between the groups was statistically significant. The findings suggest GutGard is effective in the management ofH. pylori.


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