The Effect of a Voice Therapy Program Based on the Taxonomy of Vocal Therapy in Women with Behavioral Dysphonia

Author(s)

Ribeiro, Vanessa Veis ^[1] ; de Oliveira, Amanda Gabriela ^[1] ; Vitor, Jhonatan da Silva ^[1] ; Donalonso Siqueira, Larissa Thais ^[2] ; Medeiros Moreira, Pamela Aparecida ^[1] ; Brasolotto, Alcione Ghedini ^[1] ; Alves Silverio, Kelly Cristina ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, FOB, Bauru Sch Dent, Speech Hearing & Language Disorders Dept, Bauru, SP - Brazil

^[2] State Univ West Cent UNICTR, Speech Hearing & Language Disorders Dept, Irati, Parana - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF VOICE; v. 33, n. 2 MAR 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

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 61, 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 61 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. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/06918-5 - Electromyographic biofeedback associated with vocal therapy effect in the larynx, voice and muscle electrical activity of dysphonic women: clinical trial, controlled, randomized and double-blind
• Grantee: Vanessa Veis Ribeiro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate