VMP
VMP (Vocal Mind Project) is a study investigating the link between speech and mood. VMP is led by Principal Investigator Dr. Rudolf Uher at Nova Scotia Health.
Why is there a need for VMP?
Different aspects of speech can convey important information about how someone is feeling. Both acoustic features (how the speech sounds) and content (what a person is saying) can contain information about a person’s inner experience. Research has shown that speech analysis is a reliable way to assesses mental illnesses. However, these research practices have yet to be adopted into the clinical environment.
What is the aim of VMP?
VMP aims to measure the connections between different aspects of speech and people’s mood and emotion.
What does participation involve?
We are looking for a diverse, representative group of people to contribute their voices to a research study looking at how speech reflects mood. Participation involves providing a 10-minute recording of your voice, as well as approximately 5 hours of mental health and language assessment over two separate visits. Interested participants will be pre-screened to ensure they are likely to be eligible before participating (see Who is eligible? below). Visits will include interviews, speech recordings and self-report questionnaires and will vary in length. In-person sessions will be held at the DCRP in Halifax (in the Abbie J Lane building of the QEII, 5909 Veterans' Memorial Lane).
Who is eligible?
This study is recruiting people ages 16 and above in Nova Scotia from all backgrounds and mental health histories. Participants will be screened to ensure eligibility is met before participation begins.
How do I get in touch?
If you are interested in participating in VMP or would like to find out more, you can get in touch with the DCRP via our contact form, by phone (902 473 5313) or email (vocalmind@nshealth.ca). To chat with us, you can send us a message on Facebook Messenger.
Recruitment for VMP is currently on hold.
DCRP personnel for VMP
Steven Jackson, Research Assistant
Rudolf Uher, MD, PhD, Principal Investigator