Stress analysis could predict periodontal disease

Japan: A joint research by three Japanese universities found a relationship between psychological stress and periodontal disease.

The trilateral study was conducted by the Graduate School of Engineering, Okayama University, the University of Tokyo, and Asahi University.

Voice-decoded stress linked to gum inflammation

Using a smartphone-enabled voice pathology analysis application (MIMOSYS), the researchers found a correlation between changes in morning vital pressure and changes in periodontal tissue inflammation.

They found that the MIMOSYS-assessed morning vitality of the subjects correlated with their psychological stress – determined by their responses to a questionnaire.

By evaluating changes in psychological stress using a voice pathology analysis application, the authors say it may be possible to predict the state of periodontal disease.

Smartphone app accesses stress and periodontal health

The findings of this research were published in the Swiss academic journal International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

“Psychological stress is known to affect gum health,” says Takayuki Maruyama, Assistant Professor, Research Institute of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Department of Preventive Dentistry, National University Corporation Okayama University.

“Know your state of mind from your voice”

“MIMOSYS is an easy-to-use smartphone application that allows you to know your state of mind from your voice. You can use this application to assess your psychological stress and also pay attention to your gum health.”

In a published scientific paper, the research team said that MIMOSYS assessment required little speech data to work – the minimum number of utterances required for valid analysis can be as few as three, including positive phrases.

Previously, the MIMOSYS app required six utterances to maintain the accuracy of the voice analysis.