SALSA - System for Automated Language and Speech Analysis

Description

SALSA is a mobile application designed to administer a series of cognitive tests that use voice and language as well as research surveys and other research instruments. It consists of a user interface that displays test stimuli to study participants and asks them to perform various tasks (e.g., describing pictures, listening to and recalling stories, answering questions, keeping an audio diary, etc.).

Usage

After installation, the user/study participant is given a secure code that only he/she can use to log into the app. Once the code is verified on study servers, the test stimuli are downloaded to the app and displayed to the user one at a time based on a sequence defined by the research study in which they are participating. When the participant has completed all or some of their assessments, they can upload their responses to the study servers.

Privacy Policy

SALSA is a mobile app developed solely for the purpose of research. Use of this app is available only to eligible participants that have provided their consent to enroll in a research study that uses SALSA. This app is not available for public use outside of a research study context. In order to use the app, an enrolled participant will need to enter a code issued by the research study during the enrollment process.
 

What information is collected
SALSA collects data necessary for the research study to function. This includes the voice data from the language tests (e.g., audio diarary, verbal memory recall, etc.) and other structured cognitive tests as well as responses to short surveys (Ecological Momentary Assessments). Voice data is the most sensitive of the types of data that will be collected and can potentially be
identifiable.
 

How the information is used
The information collected by this app will be used to characterize the participant's cognitive state at the time of interacting with the app for purposes of detecting or predicting changes in cognition and mental and physical health.  These data will not be used for any other purpose such as sales, product targeting or any other purpose that is not consistent with the approved study IRB protocol for a specific study.
 

How the information is collected
As participants respond to reminders to take study assessments, they will interact with the stimuli presented in the SALSA app and provide their responses that will be uploaded to a private and secure database server in compliance with the
University of Minnesota’s security standards. Encryption methods are used on the data during this process when on the smartphone and in transit to the server, and the data is deleted from the smartphone when the app is uninstalled by the user.

How we store and protect the information
All data is stored anonymously. Access to the study data is only be available to those working on data collection (e.g., investigators, study coordinators) or those that are involved in the analysis and are authorized to access the data.