Dr. Yunjung Kim, professor in the School of Communication Science and Disorders, has received a seed grant from the Florida State University Council on Research and Creativity (CRC) for her proposal on Clinical Application of Ultrasound Imaging to Talkers with Parkinson’s Disease. Utilizing this award, Kim will be studying the combination of using Ultrasound Science with behavioral modification to improve speech in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

“Up to 90% of individuals with PD experience speech and voice impairments, which severely affect their quality of life and social participation,” Kim stated. “Despite this, effective speech therapy options remain limited, particularly because traditional treatments rely heavily on patients’ internal cueing.”

PD commonly involves the impairment of internal cueing which is how the body regulates movement without utilizing external devices. This research will aim to elevate patients’ speech intelligibility which could lead to more effective intervention for those with PD.

In the past, it has been shown that external sensory cueing could be helpful in improving movement and body function. Kim aims to pivot into using visual biofeedback— specifically Ultrasound technology—to maximize the capacity for improvement in speech efficacy treatment for Parkinson’s disease (PD). Having the proper resources allocated towards this study will allow for more in-depth research on the growing need for speech intervention programs for individuals with PD. The present studies only focus on shifts in speaking modes and the delivery of the way in which an individual is speaking which Kim hopes to pivot away from.

“In this study, we will quantify the combined contributions of visual feedback using ultrasound technology and behavioral speech strategies on acoustic, kinematic, and perceptual outcomes. We expect synergy effects from the combined approaches, as reflected by improved speech intelligibility and vowel production,” Kim said.

This study would be the first attempt to utilize Ultrasound in a way that is supposed to benefit speaking patterns and communication. Ultrasound is a non-invasive device that can offer the imaging and dynamic movement of the tongue as an individual is speaking. By pairing these behavioral patterns to the way patients speak the study aims to provide an innovative approach to improving vocal delivery of those with PD.

Kim directs the FSU Motor Speech Laboratory, where she addresses the lack of treatment options for individuals with PD in relation to speaking tendencies. Kim will spend time with Dr. Zhe He (iSchool) and their interdisciplinary team cultivating a speech database to further explore the scope of interdisciplinary collaboration and how it can affect the study long-term.

The CRC Seed Grant will be applied to the study to uncover the long-term goals for the management of clearer speech in PD by opening up the possibility for clinical use by compiling a foundation for their possible future NIH R01 Clinical Trial.