Understanding muscle tension dysphonia and its effects on voice
Official title: Paralaryngeal-Respiratory Spatiotemporal Patterns in Muscle Tension Dysphonia
Funded at University of Texas Dallas · NIH-11076313 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how muscle and breathing patterns affect the voices of people with primary muscle tension dysphonia (pMTD) to find better ways to help improve their vocal health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Dallas NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richardson, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $591,687 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC021694-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11076313 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with primary muscle tension dysphonia who experience vocal difficulties impacting their daily lives.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with organic or structural voice disorders may not benefit from this research as it specifically targets muscle tension dysphonia.
What this research studies
This research investigates primary muscle tension dysphonia (pMTD), a voice disorder affecting millions, by examining the relationships between muscle activity and breathing patterns during phonation. The study aims to identify abnormal movement patterns that contribute to vocal dysfunction, which can help in developing targeted therapies. By utilizing advanced kinematic models, researchers will analyze how different muscle and respiratory movements impact voice quality. This approach seeks to fill existing gaps in understanding the physiological and methodological aspects of pMTD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved therapies for individuals suffering from muscle tension dysphonia, enhancing their quality of life and occupational productivity.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach to studying muscle tension dysphonia is innovative, similar research has shown promise in understanding voice disorders through kinematic analysis.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Dallas
Richardson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shembel, Adrianna — University of Texas Dallas
- Study coordinator: Shembel, Adrianna
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.