Lissone

This research aims to develop a screening tool for oropharyngeal dysphagia, a swallowing disorder common in neurological patients such as those with Parkinsons disease, stroke, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Dysphagia can lead to serious complications like malnutrition, dehydration, and pneumonia, increasing hospital stays and healthcare costs. Currently, there are no fast and effective screening methods available outside specialized clinical settings. Participants in this study perform various voice tasks during a single session, including sustained phonation, rapid syllable repetition, standardized sentences, and free speech. The recorded voice signals are analyzed using machine learning algorithms to identify changes related to swallowing difficulties. The study includes patients with neurological disorders both with and without dysphagia, as well as healthy individuals, to help develop the classification algorithm. During the study visit, participants provide voice recordings and clinical and medical history information. Researchers use these data to extract acoustic features for the machine learning model. The main goal is to create an algorithm that can quickly and non-invasively screen for swallowing disorders in neurological patients. The study is observational and involves a single recording session with no additional treatments or interventions.

Researchers are conducting a prospective observational study to develop and validate an Italian version of the Waddell Disability Index WDI-I, a questionnaire that patients complete themselves to assess disability related to chronic low back pain. Low back pain is a major cause of disability worldwide, and patient-reported outcome measures like the WDI are important tools for clinical assessment and rehabilitation planning. This study addresses the need for a culturally adapted Italian version of this well-known tool. The study involves a careful translation process including forward and backward translations by bilingual experts, review by a panel of clinicians, and pilot testing with patients. After finalizing the Italian version, 115 adults with chronic low back pain lasting at least three months will complete the WDI-I along with other established pain and disability scales. The WDI-I will be completed again after 7 to 10 days to evaluate consistency over time. Participants will provide demographic and clinical data and complete questionnaires including the WDI-I, Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Italian Oswestry Disability Index, and Italian Pain Catastrophizing Scale. Researchers will analyze internal consistency, reliability, and validity of the WDI-I using statistical methods. Patient data will be pseudonymized and securely handled. The study will run until late 2026, aiming to offer a reliable and valid Italian tool for assessing disability in chronic low back pain.