Efficacy of a Semi-occluded Mask in the Treatment of Patients With Voice Disorders
| Status: | Recruiting |
|---|---|
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 60 |
| Updated: | 1/16/2019 |
| Start Date: | June 19, 2018 |
| End Date: | June 30, 2019 |
| Contact: | Amanda I Gillespie, PhD |
| Email: | gillespieai@upmc.edu |
| Phone: | 412-232-8989 |
Current semi-occluded vocal tract therapies limit the type of vocalizations that can be
produced to single vowels, which does not promote learning of the healthy voice behavior in
connected speech or generalization to conversation. However, recent preliminary results using
a semi-occluded mask indicate that the use of certain mask port diameters may allow for
natural speech production while increasing supraglottal pressure and impedance, and thereby
result in elicitation of voice with increased efficiency. In addition, the use of a
semi-occluded mask provides the possibility for a better transition from phonating single
phonemes in therapy to training the target therapy techniques in connected speech.
produced to single vowels, which does not promote learning of the healthy voice behavior in
connected speech or generalization to conversation. However, recent preliminary results using
a semi-occluded mask indicate that the use of certain mask port diameters may allow for
natural speech production while increasing supraglottal pressure and impedance, and thereby
result in elicitation of voice with increased efficiency. In addition, the use of a
semi-occluded mask provides the possibility for a better transition from phonating single
phonemes in therapy to training the target therapy techniques in connected speech.
Treatment of voice disorders varies but often involves voice therapy and/or surgical
intervention. Voice therapy, a non-invasive behavioral treatment for voice disorders, helps
patients develop beneficial voice habits, prevents recurrence of voice disorders, and
facilitates long-lasting vocal improvement. Many voice therapy techniques involve a
semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT). SOVT treatment is often characterized by sustained (straw
phonation, voiced fricatives, nasals), oral oscillatory (lip buzzes, tongue trills,
raspberries) or transitory phonation (plosives and glides). Straw phonation therapy, one of
the most utilized SOVT methods, was first proposed in 1904 and involved phonating at
different pitches into small glass tubes with varying diameters and lengths providing
simultaneous semi-occlusion and extension of the vocal tract. Voice therapy exercises
involving voice production with a semi-occluded and sometimes lengthened vocal tract have
demonstrated improved vocal efficiency and loudness, reduced mechanical trauma to the vocal
fold mucosa, and improved source-filter interaction.Our group recently developed a
semi-occluded facemask for use in patients with and without voice disorders. Recent
preliminary results using this semi-occluded facemask indicated that the use of a certain
mask port diameters may elicit voice with increased efficiency. A study of 5 participants
without voice disorders revealed that a mask occlusion diameter of 6.4 and 3.2 mm resulted in
improved vocal efficiency. A study of the immediate effects of a semi-occluded facemask in 20
patients with voice disorders revealed that occlusions diameters of 9.6, 6.4, and 3.2 mm all
resulted in significant improvements in acoustic and aerodynamic voice outcomes.
intervention. Voice therapy, a non-invasive behavioral treatment for voice disorders, helps
patients develop beneficial voice habits, prevents recurrence of voice disorders, and
facilitates long-lasting vocal improvement. Many voice therapy techniques involve a
semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT). SOVT treatment is often characterized by sustained (straw
phonation, voiced fricatives, nasals), oral oscillatory (lip buzzes, tongue trills,
raspberries) or transitory phonation (plosives and glides). Straw phonation therapy, one of
the most utilized SOVT methods, was first proposed in 1904 and involved phonating at
different pitches into small glass tubes with varying diameters and lengths providing
simultaneous semi-occlusion and extension of the vocal tract. Voice therapy exercises
involving voice production with a semi-occluded and sometimes lengthened vocal tract have
demonstrated improved vocal efficiency and loudness, reduced mechanical trauma to the vocal
fold mucosa, and improved source-filter interaction.Our group recently developed a
semi-occluded facemask for use in patients with and without voice disorders. Recent
preliminary results using this semi-occluded facemask indicated that the use of a certain
mask port diameters may elicit voice with increased efficiency. A study of 5 participants
without voice disorders revealed that a mask occlusion diameter of 6.4 and 3.2 mm resulted in
improved vocal efficiency. A study of the immediate effects of a semi-occluded facemask in 20
patients with voice disorders revealed that occlusions diameters of 9.6, 6.4, and 3.2 mm all
resulted in significant improvements in acoustic and aerodynamic voice outcomes.
Inclusion Criteria:
- age 18 to 60
- diagnosed with vocal fold lesion or polyp or cyst or atrophy or other voice condition
(such as muscle tension dysphonia)
- recommended for voice therapy as treatment for voice disorder
Exclusion Criteria:
- Current smoker (greater than 5 cigarettes/week)
We found this trial at
1
site
4200 Fifth Ave
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
(412) 624-4141
Phone: 412-232-8989
University of Pittsburgh The University of Pittsburgh is a state-related research university, founded as the...
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