Creating a system to classify voice treatments for muscle tension dysphonia

RTSS-Voice: Towards a unified system to classify treatments for muscle tension dysphonia

NIH-funded research Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10877821

This study is looking to find out which specific actions by voice therapists help people with muscle tension dysphonia feel and speak better, so they can create a helpful guide for clinics to improve voice therapy treatments.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMassachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-10877821 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to improve voice therapy outcomes for patients with muscle tension dysphonia by identifying the specific actions of clinicians that lead to better patient functioning. It will utilize a theory-driven framework called the Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System (RTSS) to describe and compare various voice therapies. The project will also develop an implementation toolkit to help integrate this new classification system into clinical practice across multiple Voice Centers. By systematically analyzing different therapies, the research seeks to enhance the effectiveness of voice treatments.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with muscle tension dysphonia seeking improved voice therapy outcomes.

Not a fit: Patients with voice disorders unrelated to muscle tension dysphonia may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and personalized voice therapy treatments for patients with muscle tension dysphonia.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in using theory-driven frameworks to improve treatment outcomes in various clinical settings, suggesting that this approach may also be effective for voice therapy.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.