Parkinson's research, will you help?

Peanuckle

I have a simple request to make of you all regardless of where in the world you are. There is research going on to build a method of diagnosis of Parkinson's disease based on the sound of the voice, in order to fine tune it they need recordings of as many voices as possible, whether you have Parkinson's or not. Simply ring the number shown on their webpage and follow the instructions (it takes 3 to 5 minutes), it is anonymous and could help towards a prompt diagnosis and treatment for others in the future.
Thank you :A

http://www.parkinsonsvoice.org/index.php

DVardysShadow

?????

Somehow this looks like a scam to me. All they are doing is collecting loads of voice recordings and no data about anyone apart from their phone number. So this is substantially meaningless in terms of tying recordings to any kind of information about whether someone has Parkinsons.

But very meaningful in terms of connecting voices and phone numbers. Perhaps they could do with a more adequate explanation.

Mojisola

Don't think it's a scam -
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18427851
https://www.parkinsonsvoice.org/vision.php
https://www.parkinsonsvoice.org/faq.php

DVardysShadow

Mojisola wrote: »

Don't think it's a scam -
www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18427851
www.parkinsonsvoice.org/vision.php
www.parkinsonsvoice.org/faq.php

I am aware of the last 2 and have discounted them precisely because they come from the site in question.

The first link substantiates that there is work going on in this area and the names of the academics on the parkinsonsvoice site do check out as being on ox.ac.uk websites. But the academics themselves don't link forward to the site. And the data they are collecting looks no more than superficially relevant to the problem they are solving. A much better explanation is required than their dumbed down write up.

Mojisola

Isn't this the link between the two?

"Now he is looking for volunteers to contribute to a vast voice bank to help the database to learn even more.

He is aiming to record up to 10,000 voices and has set up local numbers in 10 countries around the world. In the UK the number is 01865 521168.

Anyone can call and they need to state whether or not they have been diagnosed with the disease."

DVardysShadow

Mojisola wrote: »

Isn't this the link between the two?

"Now he is looking for volunteers to contribute to a vast voice bank to help the database to learn even more.

He is aiming to record up to 10,000 voices and has set up local numbers in 10 countries around the world. In the UK the number is 01865 521168.

Anyone can call and they need to state whether or not they have been diagnosed with the disease."

From the bbc link, presumably? It tends to support it, but it is rather weak. I would prefer to see the academics link to their site and a better explanation.

Mojisola

DVardysShadow wrote: »

From the bbc link, presumably? It tends to support it, but it is rather weak. I would prefer to see the academics link to their site and a better explanation.

If they want to get enough people to take the test, I think they'll have to do that. People are naturally suspicious of vaguely described things like this and just won't take the risk.

Mojisola

Just listening to Max Little talking about his research on the World Service now.

Peanuckle

Mojisola wrote: »

If they want to get enough people to take the test, I think they'll have to do that. People are naturally suspicious of vaguely described things like this and just won't take the risk.

Take what risk? You ring up, speak into the phone for a short while, answer whether you have Parkinson's or not and that's it over and done with. The phone number is a standard one at national rate, unless you're local to them in which case it's local rates. If you're concerned about your number being recorded then dial 141 before their number

Not exactly a big risk is it?:rotfl:

Mojisola

Peanuckle wrote: »

Take what risk?

DVardysShadow wrote: »

But very meaningful in terms of connecting voices and phone numbers. Perhaps they could do with a more adequate explanation.

Shadow had some concerns.

rachbc

My FIL has Parkinsons - I'm happy to take the 'risk' of ringing a lo-call rate no for 5 mins.

Given that you aren't asked for any personal information other than if you have Parkinson am interested in what sort of scam this could be and what risk you are putting yourself at.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/247022.php
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7595188/Parkinsons-disease-could-be-diagnosed-by-voice-changes.html