Movement control in people with developmental stuttering
Written by Abigail Grant and Sayen Masterson
Research has suggested that the cause of stuttering (stammering) is rooted within neural motor control networks which are responsible for controlling and co-ordinating fine movements, for example speaking, typing, running.
Recent studies (Liman et al., 2021) have suggested that people who stutter also have subtle differences in other body movements, with specific focus placed on walking cadence. While these differences are small, and virtually invisible to the average on-looker, they may influence participation in sports; from community to elite levels.
Our research is taking a whole system approach by focusing on speaking as well as walking/running.
We are using multiple Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) methods to collect data. Participants will have a structural MRI and a vocal tract MRI scan.
A structural scan is what you would typically see if you have seen an MRI scan before (e.g. in a hospital setting), it shows what the brain looks like (the structures).
Vocal tract MRI enables us to take an image of the mouth and vocal tract to investigate variability and duration of articulators during speech movement and production.
In this study participants will be asked to repeat made up words while in the scanner.
Ali_Tracking.mp4We are also using 3D motion capture technology to record and analyse the walking/ running cadence of our participants.
Motion Capture technology is commonly used in film sets when using CGI.
Participants will have reflective markers placed on various joints and landmarks on lower limbs and torso areas. These reflective markers will produce an image by bouncing off inferred signals.
This can show us if, and to what extent, there is a difference in walking cadence between those who stutter and those who talk fluently.
mocapgif.m4vinternship promo long .mp4Video transcript.docxVideo Transcript
We're really excited about this project! If you would like to get involved as a participant please do not hesitate to contact us. We are looking for participants who run regularly. We'd like to hear from those who stutter AND do not stutter.
Get in touch here or c.wiltshire@bangor.ac.uk