A Pilot Study Comparing Speech Characteristics in People With Parkinson's Disease and Controls Dancing Weekly Over 5-Years.

Journal: Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice Foundation
Published Date: May 27, 2025

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects motor and non-motor functions. Speech impairments, such as reduced variability in pitch (F0SD) and intensity (IntSD), are commonly observed. Early identification of these changes through voice biomarkers offers a noninvasive approach for detecting PD, tracking disease progression, and investigating the effects of interventions on this population. This study investigates the impact of dance on people with PD voice features over a five-year period and explores whether dance interventions can mitigate these impairments.

Authors

  • Ashkan Karimi
    Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: ashkan70@yorku.ca.
  • Narges Moein
    Department of Speech Language Pathology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
  • Emily D'Alessandro
    Department of Psychology, Centre for Vision Research, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
  • Karolina A Bearss
    Department of Psychology, Algoma University, Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
  • Sarah Robichaud
    Dance for Parkinson's Canada, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
  • Rachel J Bar
    Canada's National Ballet School, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
  • Joseph F X DeSouza
    Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychology, Centre for Vision Research, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Multisensory Neuroscience Translation Laboratory, Vision: Science to Application -VISTA, Connected Minds for a Healthy, Just Society, Canadian Action and Perception Network (CAPnet), York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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