The Effect of a Voice Therapy Program Using Semioccluded Vocal Tract Exercises in Women With Behavioral Dysphonia.

The Effect of a Voice Therapy Program Using Semioccluded Vocal Tract Exercises in Women With Behavioral Dysphonia.

J Voice. 2018 Jan 17;:

Authors: Ribeiro VV, de Oliveira AG, da Silva Vitor J, Siqueira LTD, Moreira PAM, Brasolotto AG, Silverio KCA

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to propose and analyze the effect of a voice therapy program (VTP) in women with behavioral dysphonia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a controlled, blinded, and nonrandomized cohort study. Participants of this study were 22 women with behavioral dysphonia divided into two groups: G1, 11 women with behavioral dysphonia who received the VTP, and G2, 11 women with behavioral dysphonia who did not receive any intervention. Before and after 6 weeks, the outcome variables evaluated in both groups were auditory-perceptual evaluation of the global degree of vocal quality (vowel /a/ and counting), instrumental acoustic parameters, Voice-Related Quality of Life, vocal and larynx symptoms, and musculoskeletal pain. The statistical analysis used the Wilcoxon, chi-square, and Mann-Whitney tests (P < 0.05).
RESULTS: After 6 weeks, we observed a significantly higher improvement in the general degree of vocal deviation in vowels, a reduced F0 and symptom of "fatigue while talking" in G1, and an increased "shoulder" pain intensity in G2. Both groups showed improvement in the socioemotional domain of Voice-Related Quality of Life. In addition, the comparison between the groups showed a significantly greater reduction in fundamental frequency and the "voice loss" symptom in G1 compared with G2.
CONCLUSIONS: The VTP using semioccluded vocal tract exercises obtained a positive effect on voice quality, symptoms, and musculoskeletal pain in women with behavioral dysphonia. The proposal, based on the taxonomy of voice therapy, seems to have promoted a phonatory balance, muscle relaxation, and improvement in the vocal resistance of this population.

PMID: 29361337 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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