Better Ways to Understand Voice Problems
Objective Measures for Clinical Assessment of Voice Disorders
['FUNDING_R01'] · BOSTON UNIVERSITY (CHARLES RIVER CAMPUS) · NIH-11105860
This research aims to find clearer ways to identify and track voice changes for people with certain voice conditions.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | BOSTON UNIVERSITY (CHARLES RIVER CAMPUS) (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11105860 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Adductor laryngeal dystonia (AdLD) is a neurological condition causing voice spasms and increased vocal effort, which greatly affects daily life. Current treatment involves temporary botulinum toxin injections, but it's hard to tell how well these treatments are working or to distinguish AdLD from similar voice issues. This project is developing new, objective tools to accurately measure both the spasms and the vocal effort associated with AdLD. By using these new tools, we hope to better understand and manage these challenging voice conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults, 21 years and older, who experience voice disorders such as adductor laryngeal dystonia or muscle tension dysphonia.
Not a fit: Patients without voice disorders or those not seeking improved diagnostic methods for voice conditions would not directly benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more accurate diagnosis and more effective, personalized treatment plans for people with voice disorders like AdLD.
How similar studies have performed: This project builds on previous work where researchers successfully validated two automated measures for laryngeal tension and developed a new acoustic measure for laryngeal spasms.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- BOSTON UNIVERSITY (CHARLES RIVER CAMPUS) — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: STEPP, CARA E. — BOSTON UNIVERSITY (CHARLES RIVER CAMPUS)
- Study coordinator: STEPP, CARA E.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.