Everyday Conversation Training to Improve Voice and Communication
Deconstructing Voice Therapy: Towards Enhanced Communication Outcomes
Conversation Training Therapy offers conversation-based practice to help adults with hyperfunctional voice disorders speak more clearly and use those improvements in daily life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11312673 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would learn Conversation Training Therapy (CTT), a non-hierarchical approach that practices clear, articulated speech in real conversations from the first session. The therapy emphasizes crisp consonants and precise articulation while you focus on the sensation of making speech sounds during natural talk. The goal is to help you carry improved voice quality into everyday settings, reduce long treatment times, and lower dropout rates. The study will measure whether these conversation-level practices lead to better long-term communication outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with hyperfunctional or behaviorally driven voice disorders who are seeking behavioral voice therapy and can attend sessions at the study site.
Not a fit: People whose voice problems are primarily caused by structural lesions requiring surgery or by severe neurological disorders affecting motor control may not benefit from this behavioral therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help people achieve clearer, more natural-sounding speech and maintain those gains in daily conversation.
How similar studies have performed: CTT is a relatively new, non-hierarchical method with some preliminary support but limited long-term outcome data.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gillespie, Amanda I — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Gillespie, Amanda I
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.