We know from our previous research on the LUNA study that both people with aphasia and speech and language therapists (SLTs) want to work on the kind of everyday narrative language that storytelling requires.
However, we also know that often this type of language takes a long time to record and analyse. Consequently, SLTs frequently report that they prioritise working on word and sentence level language with their clients.
We are working with a technology company to find out whether a machine can record and analyse narrative stories. We aim to find out of the software can be as accurate and reliable as a human speech and language therapists and if it will offer any time savings. We will then test the software with a diverse range of speakers with aphasia –people for whom English is not their first language, those with regional accents, those with dysarthria or apraxia of speech and ask people with aphasia and SLTs find the experience of using software.
MARS is based at City St George’s, University of London in the UK. It is a collaboration with Therapy Box and Barts Health and is funded by Barts Charity.
Investigators: Prof Lucy Dipper, Prof Madeline Cruice, Dr Niamh Devane, Sarah Johnston, Ruth O’Hagan, Jean Rutter & Dr Becky Moss
