Test-retest repeatability of human speech biomarkers from static and real-time dynamic magnetic resonance imaging

J Acoust Soc Am. 2017 May;141(5):3323. doi: 10.1121/1.4983081.

Abstract

Static anatomical and real-time dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (RT-MRI) of the upper airway is a valuable method for studying speech production in research and clinical settings. The test-retest repeatability of quantitative imaging biomarkers is an important parameter, since it limits the effect sizes and intragroup differences that can be studied. Therefore, this study aims to present a framework for determining the test-retest repeatability of quantitative speech biomarkers from static MRI and RT-MRI, and apply the framework to healthy volunteers. Subjects (n = 8, 4 females, 4 males) are imaged in two scans on the same day, including static images and dynamic RT-MRI of speech tasks. The inter-study agreement is quantified using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and mean within-subject standard deviation (σe). Inter-study agreement is strong to very strong for static measures (ICC: min/median/max 0.71/0.89/0.98, σe: 0.90/2.20/6.72 mm), poor to strong for dynamic RT-MRI measures of articulator motion range (ICC: 0.26/0.75/0.90, σe: 1.6/2.5/3.6 mm), and poor to very strong for velocities (ICC: 0.21/0.56/0.93, σe: 2.2/4.4/16.7 cm/s). In conclusion, this study characterizes repeatability of static and dynamic MRI-derived speech biomarkers using state-of-the-art imaging. The introduced framework can be used to guide future development of speech biomarkers. Test-retest MRI data are provided free for research use.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Acoustics
  • Adult
  • Anatomic Landmarks
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Larynx / diagnostic imaging*
  • Larynx / physiology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Mouth / diagnostic imaging*
  • Mouth / physiology
  • Pharynx / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pharynx / physiology
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Speech Production Measurement
  • Speech*
  • Time Factors
  • Young Adult