Airflow and vocal function measurements for children and adults with healthy voices
Aerodynamic Measurements in the Pediatric Population
This project will test three child-friendly airflow measurement methods to see which work best for assessing voices in children and to compare healthy and disordered pediatric voices.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 365 (estimated) |
| Ages | 4 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Wisconsin, Madison Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Iowa City, Iowa and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06975046 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Participants complete a single 60-minute session using one of three aerodynamic interruption methods (complete interruption, incomplete interruption, or airflow redirection) while the team adapts procedures to be child-friendly. The study enrolls children aged 4–17 with normal voices and with laryngeal pathology, plus an adult comparison group (18–65) for certain tests. Modifications for pediatric testing include shorter trials, auditory masking, cheek restraints, and gamification to improve reliability and engagement. All measurements will be compiled into a pediatric vocal health database and used to compare healthy children to those with vocal fold nodules or polyps.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are children aged 4–17 with either a normal voice or diagnosed laryngeal pathology, and adults aged 18–65 with a normal voice who can follow test instructions.
Not a fit: Patients with neuromuscular disorders affecting the larynx, a history of respiratory or laryngeal disease, a history of smoking, significant hearing loss, or cognitive impairment that prevents task performance are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could produce reliable, child-friendly airflow tests that help clinicians detect and monitor pediatric voice problems more accurately.
How similar studies have performed: Airflow interruption methods are established in adults but pediatric-specific adaptations and large normative pediatric databases are limited, so this approach is only partially tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria - Healthy Control: * Age 4-65 years * Normal voice * No history of voice or other pertinent health disorders Exclusion Criteria - Healthy Control: * Neuromuscular disorder affecting the larynx * History of respiratory or laryngeal disease * History of smoking * Hearing impairment * Cognitive impairment that might impact ability to perform the tasks required by the study Inclusion Criteria - Abnormal Voice: * Age 4-17 * Laryngeal pathology Exclusion Criteria - Abnormal Voice: * No laryngeal disorder
Where this trial is running
Iowa City, Iowa and 1 other locations
- University of Iowa — Iowa City, Iowa, United States (Not_yet_recruiting)
- University of Wisconsin - Madison — Madison, Wisconsin, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jack Jiang, MD — University of Wisconsin, Madison
- Study coordinator: Jack Jiang, MD
- Email: jjjiang@wisc.edu
- Phone: 608-265-7888
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.