Investigating voice and brain responses in teachers with vocal fatigue
Neurobiological and Psychobiological Signatures of Vocal Effort in Early Career Teachers
This study is testing how stress affects the voices and speech of early career female teachers with vocal fatigue to see if their brain and muscle responses are different from those without vocal fatigue.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 21 Years to 39 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Bonn Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Bonn) |
| Trial ID | NCT06126627 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study examines the impact of stress on voice control and speech in early career female teachers and student teachers experiencing vocal fatigue. Participants will undergo stress induction and perform speech tasks while their brain activity, voice muscle activity, and psychobiological responses are measured. The goal is to compare the reactivity patterns of those who respond to stress with those who do not, alongside control participants without vocal fatigue. This research aims to uncover the underlying causes of primary muscle tension dysphonia and its effects on quality of life.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are female teachers or student teachers aged 21 to 39 with symptoms of vocal fatigue.
Not a fit: Patients with known vocal fold changes, respiratory illnesses, or psychological disorders may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for voice disorders in teachers.
How similar studies have performed: While studies on voice disorders exist, this specific approach focusing on stress reactivity in teachers is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Teachers (max. 10 years full-time) or student teachers in good health between 21 and 39 years with symptoms of vocal fatigue. Control participants in good health between 21 and 39 years without symptoms of vocal fatigue. Exclusion Criteria: * Lefthandedness * Smoking (past 5 years) * Known changes of the vocal folds (e.g., vocal fold nodules), vocal fold paralysis, surgeries on the larynx or thryoid or current organic or neurological changes of the vocal folds or vocal function per videoendoscopy and -stroboscopy of the larynx * History of voice therapy * Hoarseness * Respiratory illness, allergies (respiratory, silver), reflux or asthma at time of participation * Hearing disorder or hearing aids * Psychological, neurological or endocrinological disorders * Psychotropic or steorid medications * Body mass index \> 30 * Indications against MRI such as metail parts in or on the body (e.g., permanent dental prostheses or braces, screws, prostheses, piercings or large tattoos * Nearsightedness \> -5 diopters, if only glasses are worn * Claustrophobia * Pregnancy
Where this trial is running
Bonn
- University Hospital Bonn — Bonn, Germany (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Maria Dietrich, PhD — University Hospital, Bonn
- Study coordinator: Maria Dietrich, PhD
- Email: Maria.Dietrich@ukbonn.de
- Phone: +49228287
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.