Breathing training for improving voice quality in muscle tension dysphonia
The Effects of Respiratory-Based Treatment for Muscle Tension Dysphonia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This study tests if breathing training can help people with muscle tension dysphonia improve their voice quality and make speaking easier.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 36 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Syracuse University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Syracuse, New York) |
| Trial ID | NCT04710862 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the effects of respiratory training on individuals diagnosed with muscle tension dysphonia, a common voice disorder characterized by excessive muscle activity affecting speech production. Participants will undergo breathing training, both with and without the use of a device, to assess improvements in voice quality and reduce the effort required for speaking. The study aims to address the multifactorial physiological abnormalities associated with muscle tension dysphonia, which are often inadequately treated by standard approaches focusing solely on laryngeal function.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older with a confirmed diagnosis of muscle tension dysphonia and no other significant health issues.
Not a fit: Patients with current organic or neurologic laryngeal pathology or those undergoing other voice treatments may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved voice quality and reduced speaking effort for patients suffering from muscle tension dysphonia.
How similar studies have performed: While there is limited data on the specific approach of respiratory training for this condition, similar interventions have shown promise in improving voice disorders.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Ages 18 or older * Self-report of general good health other than voice disorder * Self-report of normal pulmonary function * Non-smoker status for at least the last 5 years * English as their primary language to avoid potential linguistically-based differences in acoustic measures of voice * Adequate visual acuity (with or without corrective lenses) to read basic graphs and print, as determined with visual screening * No evidence of current organic or neurologic laryngeal pathology, as assessed by nasolaryngoscopy examination and reviewed by a laryngologist * No prior surgery to the vocal folds * Do not report difficulty with swallowing * Not currently receiving voice therapy or other voice treatment that cannot be discontinued * Do not report a bilateral, severe to profound hearing loss * Willingness to be recorded for data collection that is necessary for this study * Have a confirming diagnosis of Muscle Tension Dysphonia from an otolaryngologist and speech-language pathologist * Demonstrate quantified auditory-perceptual dysphonia and acoustic dysphonia (Cepstral/Spectral Index of Dysphonia) that exceed normative values for the participant's age and sex * Based on the nasolaryngoscopy examination and assessment performed by the otolaryngologist, show one or more patterns of supraglottic activity that are consistent with adducted vocal fold hyperfunction * Show no evidence of abnormal, incomplete vocal fold closure patterns as determined on the videostroboscopy assessment (patterns of posterior glottal gaps are normal and expected) * Show no evidence of additional neurological voice disorders such as spasmodic dysphonia or vocal fold paralysis * Show elevated hyolaryngeal position that exceeds normative expectations as determined through quantitative analysis of ultrasonographic laryngeal images measuring change from rest to phonation * Demonstrate voice problems that have persisted for ≥2 months * Demonstrate self-reported increase in speaking effort * Show evidence of speech breathing abnormalities relative to accepted normative values Exclusion Criteria: * Ages 17 or younger * Self-report of major health problems * Self-report of pulmonary disease such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or emphysema * Current smoker status or prior smoker status within the last 5 years * English not the primary language * Inadequate visual acuity (with corrective lenses if applicable) to read basic graphs and print as determined by failing a visual screening * Evidence of current organic or neurologic laryngeal pathology, as assessed by nasolaryngoscopy examination and reviewed by a laryngologist * Prior surgery to the vocal folds * Currently receiving voice therapy or other voice treatment that cannot be discontinued * Self-report of a bilateral, severe to profound hearing loss * Not willing to be recorded for data collection that is necessary for this study * No confirming diagnosis of Muscle Tension Dysphonia from an otolaryngologist and speech-language pathologist * Do not demonstrate quantified auditory-perceptual dysphonia and acoustic dysphonia (Cepstral/Spectral Index of Dysphonia) that exceed normative values for the participant's age and sex * Based on the nasolaryngoscopy examination and assessment performed by the otolaryngologist, do not show one or more patterns of supraglottic activity that are consistent with adducted vocal fold hyperfunction * Show evidence of abnormal, incomplete vocal fold closure patterns as determined on the videostroboscopy assessment (patterns of posterior glottal gaps are normal and expected) * Show evidence of additional neurological voice disorders such as spasmodic dysphonia or vocal fold paralysis * Do not show elevated hyolaryngeal position that exceeds normative expectations as determined through quantitative analysis of ultrasonographic laryngeal images measuring change from rest to phonation * Demonstrate voice problems that have persisted for less than 2 months * Do not demonstrate self-reported increase in speaking effort * Do not show evidence of speech breathing abnormalities relative to accepted normative values
Where this trial is running
Syracuse, New York
- Syracuse University — Syracuse, New York, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Soren Y Lowell, PhD — Syracuse University
- Study coordinator: Soren Y Lowell, PhD
- Email: slowell@syr.edu
- Phone: 3154439648
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.