Investigating vocal fold hyperadduction and phonotrauma risk

Defining Clinically Important Differences in Cepstral and Spectral Measures in Individuals With and Without Phonotrauma

This study is trying to see if certain voice measurements can help identify the risk of vocal damage in people who use their voices in different ways.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 100 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 65 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Dallas, Texas)
• Trial ID: NCT05625191 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to identify objective measures associated with hyperadduction of the vocal folds to better understand the risk of developing phonotrauma. It will analyze changes in cepstral peak prominence (CPP) and the difference between the first two harmonics of the voice spectrum (H1-H2) in response to different phonation patterns. The study will involve two main aims: first, to assess how CPP and H1-H2 vary with pressed voice production in individuals without laryngeal pathology, and second, to evaluate the sensitivity and responsiveness of these measures to detect changes in voice production conditions.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18-65 diagnosed with phonotrauma or those without any voice disorders.

Not a fit: Patients with voice disorders unrelated to phonotrauma or those who have had previous laryngeal surgery may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved risk assessment and prevention strategies for individuals at risk of developing phonotrauma.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using acoustic voice analysis and high-speed videoendoscopy is established, the specific focus on hyperadduction and its objective measures in relation to phonotrauma is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Control Group:

Inclusion Criteria:

1. 18-65 years of age (to avoid confounding physiological factors related to puberty or presbyphonia)
2. No history of or current voice disorder
3. Auditory perceptual presentation globally within functional limits (as determined by a voice specialized SLP).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Atypical auditory-perceptual voice presentation
2. History of voice disorder or laryngeal surgery.

Patient Group:

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Diagnosed with phonotrauma (i.e., vocal fold nodules, vocal fold polyp, vocal fold pseudocyst, mid-fold edema) by a laryngologist.
2. 18-65 years of age

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Diagnosis of voice disorder not related to phonotrauma (e.g., vocal fold immobility, laryngeal dystonia, primary muscle tension dysphonia, etc.)
2. Previous history of laryngeal surgery or voice therapy (to avoid confounding effects of previous treatment).

Where this trial is running

Dallas, Texas

• UT Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas, Texas, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Laura Toles, PhD

Conditions Phonotrauma