The Brain Processes Underlying Speech Motor Learning and Speech Production

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The aim of this research is to develop protocols that selectively target and improve speech-motor learning processes. Participants will be asked to name pictures, read words/sentences, and listen to sounds while their speech signals will be collected during the study.

Official Title
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Improving Speech Motor Learning Processes Using Augmented Behavioral Interventions

Conditions
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Healthy Adults

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Effects of speech variability on speech motor learning
* Behavioral: Effects of error-detection training on speech motor learning
* Behavioral: Contributions of error awareness to speech motor learning
* Behavioral: Enhancing auditory-to-motor mapping with augmented visual feedback
* Behavioral: Effects of enhanced auditory-motor awareness on speech motor learning


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 18 years and older native speaker of American English normal (age-appropriate) binaural pure-tone hearing threshold not taking medications affecting sensorimotor functioning no current or history of communication, neurological, or psychological disorders Exclusion Criteria:

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Healthy Adults group 1<br> | Behavioral: Effects of speech variability on speech motor learning<br>* This intervention will examine whether reducing normal variability of speech could improve error detection and speech motor learning. We will design training tasks to change subjects' speech variability. We will train subjects to decrease/decrease their speech variability. Upon completing the training tasks, subjects will complete a motor learning task.<br>|
| Experimental: Healthy Adults group 2<br> | Behavioral: Effects of error-detection training on speech motor learning<br>* This intervention will examine whether improving subjects' ability to detect and estimate auditory perturbation could improve speech motor learning. For this purpose, we will design training tasks to change subjects' estimation of the perturbation magnitude. After completing the training tasks, subjects will complete the motor learning task.<br>|
| Experimental: Healthy Adults group 3<br> | Behavioral: Contributions of error awareness to speech motor learning<br>* This intervention will examine the contributions of error awareness to speech motor learning. Subjects will produce a target word while receiving perturbed auditory feedback with different magnitudes. Subjects will be trained to indicate the magnitude of the error they perceived with or without visual feedback.<br>|
| Experimental: Healthy Adults group 4<br> | Behavioral: Enhancing auditory-to-motor mapping with augmented visual feedback<br>* This intervention will determine the contributions of enhanced auditory-to-motor mappings to speech motor learning. We will design training tasks in which we will use visual feedback to provide feedback regarding subjects' accuracy of auditory-to-motor mapping.<br>|
| Experimental: Healthy Adults group 5<br> | Behavioral: Effects of enhanced auditory-motor awareness on speech motor learning<br>* In this intervention, subjects will be trained to control their articulators more accurately and be more aware of their articulators' position and their auditory consequences. After the training tasks, subjects will complete a motor learning task.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in speech output in response to previously experienced auditory errors | In each trial, participants will experience an auditory error while they produce speech (e.g., they may say head but hear had). Participants' speech will be measured in each trial. The investigators will measure how the participants' speech changes due to auditory errors experienced in previous trials. | within each session of the study that may last up to 2 hours | 
| Change In Speech Output Immidiately After Hearing Auditory Errors | In each trial, participants will experience an auditory error while they produce speech (e.g., they may say head but hear had). The investigators will measure how the participants' speech changes due to auditory errors that they experience in the current trial. | within each session of the study that may last up to 2 hours |