Implementation of automatic speech analysis for early detection of psychiatric symptoms: What do patients want?

S.G Brederoo,F.G Nadema,F.G Goedhart,A.E Voppel,J.N De Boer,J Wouts,S Koops,I.E.C Sommer

doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.08.019

Abstract

Psychiatry is in dire need of a method to aid early detection of symptoms. Recent developments in automatic speech analysis prove promising in this regard, and open avenues for implementation of speech-based applications to detect psychiatric symptoms. The current survey was conducted to assess positions with regard to speech recordings among a group (n = 675) of individuals who experience psychiatric symptoms. Overall, respondents are open to the idea of speech recordings in light of their mental welfare. Importantly, concerns with regard to privacy were raised. Given that speech recordings are privacy sensitive, this requires special attention upon implementation of automatic speech analysis techniques. Furthermore, respondents indicated a preference for speech recordings in the presence of a clinician, as opposed to a recording made at home without the clinician present. In developing a speech marker for psychiatry, close collaboration with the intended users is essential to arrive at a truly valid and implementable method.

Highlights

An estimated 10.7% of the world population suffered from a psy chiatric disorder in 2017 (Ritchie and Roser, 2018), imposing a high burden on mental health care and society
Part of this can be attributed to the pressing lack of a reliable method for early detection of symptoms
Previous studies suggest that the information encapsulated in spon taneous speech might serve as a marker for symptom severity in psy chiatric disorders, facilitating differential diagnosis (Lott et al, 2002) and the prediction of emerging symptoms in individuals who are considered at-risk

Summary

Introduction

An estimated 10.7% of the world population suffered from a psy chiatric disorder in 2017 (Ritchie and Roser, 2018), imposing a high burden on mental health care and society Part of this can be attributed to the pressing lack of a reliable method for early detection of symptoms. Speech disturbances can be externally and objectively assessed, as opposed to some other psychiatric phenomena (e.g., delusions) (Tan and Rossell, 2020) This opens up new avenues for tracking a person’s mental health, by way of monitoring changes in their speech over time. Psychiatry, it is important to learn about the wishes and concerns of the intended users, and to explore facets that would improve acceptation and user-friendliness To this end, we conducted a survey in collabora tion with MIND – a Dutch collaborative platform for organizations of people with mental health problems and their caregivers. When asked whether neutral questions or mood-related questions would be favored during a recording, the majority of respondents (56%) indicated to have no preference (Fig. 1.6)

Discussion

Results

Would you consider visiting a website to record your speech?