Vocal Self-Perception of Home Office Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Zoom in: factors affecting vocal habits during online meetings, a prospective trial on 40 subjects

PURPOSE

To identify factors that influence vocal habits during online meetings (OMs).

METHODS

A prospective trial of forty participants without any known hearing or vocal cord disorders. Subjects participated in an OM divided into six randomly ordered sections, with alterations in audio/speaking equipment and language: the computer's speaker-microphone, a single earbud, two-earbuds or headphones; with/without video, native-language-speaking (Hebrew) versus second language-speaking (English). Each section included free speech, sustained phonation, and a standardized passage. Participants ranked their vocal-effort for each section. Three blinded raters independently scored the voice using the GRBAS scale, and acoustic analyses were performed.

RESULTS

No significant difference in self-reported vocal effort was demonstrated between sections. Second-language speaking resulted in significantly increased intensity (p < 0.0001), frequency (p = 0.015), GRBAS (p = 0.008), and strain (p < 0.0001) scores. Using the computer's speaker/microphone resulted in significantly higher strain (p < 0.0001). Using headphones, single or two earbuds resulted in lower intensity and a lower strain score. No differences were detected between OMs with or without video.

CONCLUSIONS

Using the computer's microphone/speaker or speaking in a second language during OMs, may result in vocal habits associated with vocal trauma.

The relationship between the living environment and remote working: an analysis using the SHEL model

Objective

This study investigates the relationship of living environment factors with satisfaction, work engagement, perceived productivity, and stress among teleworkers.

Background

Given the increase in telecommuting since the onset of the pandemic, the study aims to identify how to create an optimum environment for telecommuting workers.

Methods

By examining the relationships among these factors via multiple regression analysis, a comprehensive investigation of the telecommuting working environment is conducted, encompassing physical aspects and facilities as well as lifestyle rhythms and relationships with housemates. In doing so, the author identifies measures to create a more favorable living environment. The work environment of remote workers is examined from various perspectives using the framework of the SHEL model: Software (work content, lifestyle, etc.), Hardware (furniture, equipment, etc.), Environment (indoor environment), and Liveware (relationships with family members who reside with the worker).

Results

The results suggest that positive factors, such as satisfaction and work engagement, are strongly influenced by the degree of job autonomy and the availability of a workspace dedicated to personal use. Negative aspects, such as stress, are significantly impacted by environmental noise, interruptions due to household tasks, and the use of ergonomic furniture.

Impact of Home-Based Work during the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental and Physical Health in a German Population-Based Sample

Background: The COVID-19 outbreak necessitated physical distancing, as part of secondary prevention, at a personal and professional level. Working from home (WFH) became increasingly important. In this study, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on physical and mental health is investigated, compared with pre-pandemic data, and with employees who WFH and are on-site. Methods: Data from the German Saxon longitudinal study population were used. Attitudes towards WFH as well as mental and physical health assessments during the COVID-19 pandemic were examined. Comparisons were made with corresponding pre-pandemic scores and between employees WFH and on-site in 2022. Results: In total, 319 participants with equal gender distribution were included. Of those, 86 worked from home stating better organizability of their work, more time for partnership, less stress, and greater work satisfaction. Compared to pre-pandemic data, the D-score, PHQ-4, G-Score, and PHQ-SSS-8 showed a significant increase. No difference in physical or mental health between employees WFH and on-site was observed. Conclusion: In general, COVID-19 restrictions had a negative impact on mental and physical health. Although WFH is well accepted, it did not show significant health benefits.

Perceived Physical Discomfort and Its Associations With Home Office Characteristics During the COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and change in perception of physical discomfort, including musculoskeletal discomfort, during the COVID-19 pandemic and to determine associations of demographic factors, telework activity, and home office characteristics with the highest prevalence of discomfort.

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic forced a substantial increase in telework in many countries. The sudden change from a regular workplace to an improvised "home office" may have an impact on working conditions and physical symptoms of office workers. However, investigations in this area remain limited.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study design was used to compare self-reported complaints of physical discomfort perceived from before with those during the pandemic. Associations between complaints and home office characteristics were investigated from 150 faculty and 51 administrative staff of an academic institution with an age range of 41.16 ± 10.20 (59% female).

RESULTS

A significant increase of physical discomfort was found during the pandemic period for head, eyes, hand, and upper back for both staff and faculty and neck, shoulders, elbows, and lower back for faculty only. Logistic regression analyses point to associations with the lack of a laptop stand, uncomfortable desk, poor lighting, and sitting time, among others.

CONCLUSION

A high prevalence of physical discomfort was reported by teleworkers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some home office characteristics were associated with these discomforts.

APPLICATION

Some telework characteristics seem to be risk factors for physical discomfort. Consideration should be given to teaching best practices for workstation setup and/or conducting other preventive interventions in the work environment.

COVID-19 and Remote Learning: Predictive Factors of Perceived Improvement or Worsening of the Voice in Brazilian Teachers

OBJECTIVES

Given the transformations in teaching modalities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with vocal self-perception during the pandemic and to investigate the ability of selected variables to predict changes in vocal self-perception in teachers with professional vocal demands during the investigated period.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

METHOD

A total of 1,126 teachers of both genders (ages 19-78 years, average 43.23 years) who were participating in remote teaching activities using their voice answered the online questionnaire. To characterize vocal changes (improvement, worsening or no change), the teachers' self-assessment of their voice quality was considered; the association between the variables reported in the questionnaire and vocal changes was analyzed, as was the capacity of these variables for predicting voice changes.

RESULTS

Most of the teachers worked at a public school, reported having no previous voice changes or difficulties with their voice during online classes and indicated that they began to use their voice less often and with reduced intensity during the pandemic. Vocal demands were divided between teaching synchronous online classes, recording video lessons and participating in online meetings. Several variables were associated with voice improvement and worsening, and some had the capacity to predict voice changes: improvement in voice quality was associated with working in a public school or as an autonomous teacher, reduced voice use and, to a lesser extent, participating in online meetings, certain vocal habits and a reduction in vocal symptoms; worsening voice quality was associated with working in a private school, increased voice use, using the voice at a higher intensity, difficulty with the voice in online classes, vocal habits and vocal symptoms.

CONCLUSION

The context of remote education has changed the way teachers communicate during classes, and monitoring is necessary to ensure that necessary adaptations are made to preserve the voice and ensure effective communication.

Social distancing and choral singing during the Covid-19 pandemic: challenges and vocal symptoms of chorists

PURPOSE

To analyze the perception of choristers who perform online rehearsals about symptoms, vocal disadvantages, adaptations in the singing routine and difficulties in rehearsals during social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHOD

Application of an online questionnaire investigating perceptions about the voice and singing routine and rehearsal of 141 choristers who did not have COVID-19 disease and continued in remote activity until April 2021. Participants were divided in two groups according to the age: G1 (18 to 54 years old) and G2 (55 years old or more). The data underwent descriptive and inferential analysis, considering a significance level of 5%.

RESULTS

During distancing, both groups reported a decrease in singing time and felt more difficult to sing alone. Choir singers reported fewer throat infections during this period. Choir singers from G1 noticed a huskier voice, reported difficulty concentrating via videoconferencing, felt nervous to singing alone in virtual rehearsals and stressed recording the same song several times. G2 choristers reported more physical vocal symptoms such as: tired voice, varying throughout the day, and a weaker and more breathy voice.

CONCLUSION

In social distancing, the choristers found it more difficult to sing by videoconference and had reduced singing practice time. Younger choir singers reported more emotional symptoms and older choir singers reported more vocal symptoms.

Teleworking and Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Systematic Review

Teleworking has spread drastically during the COVID-19 pandemic, but its effect on musculo-skeletal disorders (MSD) remains unclear. We aimed to make a qualitative systematic review on the effect of teleworking on MSD. Following the PRISMA guidelines, several databases were searched using strings based on MSD and teleworking keywords. A two-step selection process was used to select relevant studies and a risk of bias assessment was made. Relevant variables were extracted from the articles included, with a focus on study design, population, definition of MSD, confounding factors, and main results. Of 205 studies identified, 25 were included in the final selection. Most studies used validated questionnaires to assess MSD, six considered confounders extensively, and seven had a control group. The most reported MSD were lower back and neck pain. Some studies found increased prevalence or pain intensity, while others did not. Risk of bias was high, with only 5 studies with low/probably low risk of bias. Conflicting results on the effect of teleworking on MSD were found, though an increase in MSD related to organizational and ergonomic factors seems to emerge. Future studies should focus on longitudinal approaches and consider ergonomic and work organization factors as well as socio-economic status.

What are the Symptoms that Characterize the Clinical Condition of Vocal Fatigue? A Scoping Review and Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Vocal fatigue is a clinical manifestation associated with a perception of negative vocal adjustment. It is related to the increase in the sensation of excessive effort when speaking and the lack of conditioning of the muscles and structures that involve vocal production. Because it has a complex and multifactorial diagnosis, there is still no consensus on the symptoms most commonly found in this clinical condition.

OBJECTIVE

To review and analyze the symptoms that characterize the clinical condition of vocal fatigue.

METHODS

This study consists of a scoping review carried out in the Cochrane Library, Embase, Lilacs, and Medline databases. Observational studies or clinical trials from the last 10 years. Studies with participants younger than 18 years of age were excluded; as well as research that did not describe symptoms of vocal fatigue or that presented vocal fatigue as a symptom; studies with patients with neurological, psychiatric, syndromic conditions, or head and neck cancer. The Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies NHLBI-NIH scale was used to assess the methodological quality of selected observational studies and the PEDro scale for the analysis of experimental studies. The steps were performed by three blinded evaluators. Subsequently, meta-analyses of global means were executed for each factor under study; a comparison of the difference in the mean score for each factor between exposed and unexposed; a comparison of the difference in the average score, among non-professional voice users, for each factor between exposed and unexposed.

RESULTS

In the searches performed, 956 articles were found and 29 articles were selected according to the eligibility criteria. Of these, 93.11% of the studies were observational and 6.89% were clinical trials. Regarding the gender and age group of the study samples, women aged between 30 and 45 years were predominant. As for the occupational use of voice, 68.97% of the samples were composed of professional voice users and 31.03% of non-professional voice users, with most professional voice users being teachers and non-professional voice users, individuals with dysphonia or vocal complaint. To assess vocal fatigue symptoms, 28 studies used the Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI) protocol, and only one study used another assessment protocol, Self-Administered Voice Rating. All studies were classified as regular, according to the scale used. As for the meta-analyses performed, the mean scores of the VFI factors were higher among professional voice users when compared to non-professional voice users and higher in dysphonic individuals compared to non-dysphonic individuals.

CONCLUSION

The vocal fatigue symptoms found in this review were common in the populations of professional voice users and non-professional voice users and dysphonic and non-dysphonic individuals. These symptoms were related to vocal recovery after rest, physical discomfort, and restricted vocal use.

The effect of wearing face masks on voice and intelligibility of speech during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background

The study aims at evaluating the effect of wearing face masks on voice and intelligibility of speech in Egyptian working individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic to identify if there are any adverse effects of wearing face masks in the working environment.

Materials and methods

A cross-section analytical study was conducted on 153 participants. Personal data and data about the nature of their workplaces were collected. The evaluation included a subjective assessment of voice and intelligibility of speech using a specifically designed questionnaire addressing self-perception of voice fatigue, speech unintelligibility, received auditory feedback and breathing difficulty, and objective voice assessment by Computerized Speech Lab, while objective speech unintelligibility assessment by the Arabic Speech Intelligibility Test.

Results

The study revealed poor workplace acoustics and increased their self-perception of voice fatigue, speech unintelligibility, auditory feedback, and breathing difficulty while wearing masks. Medical professionals showed increased self-perception of speech unintelligibility and the received auditory feedback. No significant difference was found in absolute jitter with and without a face mask. Increasing shimmer and mean fundamental frequency and decreasing noise to harmonic ratio and maximum phonation time were found. The study revealed decreased speech intelligibility especially with the N95 mask.

Conclusion

Wearing face masks negatively affects communication in the workplace, with poor room acoustics. It affects both speech intelligibility and voice subjectively and objectively. It caused increased self-perception of voice fatigue and changes in objective voice parameters.

implicações da pandemia de COVID-19 na saúde mental e física dos estudantes do Curso de Medicina de uma Universidade da Região Metropolitana do Espírito Santo

Introdução: O primeiro caso reportado da infecção pelo novo coronavírus ocorreu na China, em dezembro de 2019. Dado o alastramento da doença, ocorreram modificações no estilo de vida, que associadas ao período de incertezas geraram impactos na saúde da população. Objetivo: Compreender as implicações da pandemia de COVID-19 na saúde mental e física dos estudantes do Curso de Medicina de uma universidade do Espírito Santo. Métodos: Estudo transversal de agosto de 2020 a janeiro de 2021, com abordagem quantitativa e qualitativa, com estudantes de Medicina de todos os períodos. Coleta de dados feita com questionário eletrônico, englobando dados sociodemográficos, econômicos, características individuais e familiares sobre o período prévio e concorrente à pandemia. Os programas Excel 2020 e OPENEPI foram utilizados para as análises. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa com Seres Humanos, sob o número 4.224.502. Resultados: Foram avaliados 779 acadêmicos, a maioria do sexo feminino (61,6%), entre 20 e 24 anos (64,0%), nos dois primeiros anos do curso (46,5%), residentes em área urbana (98,1%), com uma a três pessoas em seu domicílio (65,0%) e sem vínculo empregatício (93,2%). Características da amostra durante a pandemia: necessidade de trancar matrícula (3,9%), preocupação constante com a família (73,9%), dificuldade de adaptação à educação a distância (76,0%), convívio familiar contínuo (84,5%), alterações do sono (54,9%), da prática de atividade física (60,3%) e do peso (71,0%), participação nos afazeres domésticos (77,9%), pressão psicológica (47,6%), alimentação (69,6%). As variáveis que sofreram modificações significativas entre os períodos prévio e concorrente à pandemia foram diminuição de renda (p=0,005), aumento do uso de medicamentos (p=0,0009) e do nível de estresse autopercebido (p≤0,0000001). Com relação ao desenvolvimento de dores no período da pandemia, apresentaram impacto: sexo feminino (p≤0,0000001), segundo ano do curso (p=0,001), preocupação constante com a família (p=0,000002), dificuldade de adaptação ao ensino a distância (p=0,002), alterações no sono (p=0,000003), atividade física (p=0,001), mudanças no peso (p=0,00007) e na alimentação (p=0,01). Para o desenvolvimento de distúrbios psíquicos durante a pandemia, as com maior significância foram sexo (p=0,004), preocupação constante com a família (p=0,005), sono (p=0,006) e alimentação (p=0,003). Conclusões: Modificações dos padrões de vida decorrentes da pandemia impactaram negativamente a saúde física e mental, tornando essencial que as instituições de ensino proporcionem ações de cuidado à saúde de estudantes.

Prevalence of Work-Related Voice Disorders in Voice Professionals: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the prevalence of work-related voice disorders (WRVD) among the voice professionals.

METHODS

The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021250121). The search was performed in the Embase, Lilacs, Medline, SCOPUS, and Web of Sciences databases. There were no limitations to the year of publication and the search included observational studies which reported data on the prevalence of dysphonia in voice professionals measured through vocal complaints, vocal self-assessment, the auditory-perceptual judgment of the voice, and laryngoscopy examinations. The critical appraisal instrument for studies reporting prevalence data was used to analyze the risk of bias of the studies. Data analysis was performed using Jamovi and R software with a significance level of 5%.

RESULTS

The initial search identified 561 articles, 73 of which were finally included and analyzed. The total number of participants was 63,126. Dysphonia was diagnosed in 45,996 participants based on a vocal complaint, 12,843 using vocal self-assessment, 1,254 using the auditory-perceptual judgment, and 1,683 using laryngoscopies. The prevalence of total dysphonia was 44.0 (95% CI 38.47; 49.69). The prevalence of vocal complaints was 43.9% (95% CI 37.37; 50.52), 42.5% (95% CI 28.57; 57.08) for self-assessment, 53.0% (95% CI 29.87; 77.19) for auditory-perceptual judgment, and 36.9% (95% CI 18.62; 57.08) for laryngoscopic examination. In the auditory-perceptual judgment, voice professionals in class 3 (moderate quality, high demand) had a higher prevalence of dysphonia than those in class 4 (moderate quality, moderate demand) (P = 0.04). In the auditory-perceptual judgment (P = 0.04), there was a higher prevalence of dysphonia in teachers than among other voice professionals non-teachers, and in the laryngeal evaluation, no differences were found between professionals (P = 0.8).

CONCLUSION

There was a high prevalence of dysphonia in voice professionals, especially in the detection by auditory-perceptual judgment. High vocal demand and being a teacher influenced the increase in the prevalence of WRVD.

The effect of training and workstation adjustability on teleworker discomfort during the COVID-19 pandemic

Technological advancements have increased occupational flexibility for employees and employers alike. However, while effective telework requires planning, the COVID-19 pandemic required many employees to quickly shift to working from home without ensuring that the requirements for telework were in place. This study evaluated the transition to telework on university faculty and staff and investigated the effect of one's telework setup and ergonomics training on work-related discomfort in the at-home environment. Fifty-one percent of respondents reported increases in their existing discomfort while 24% reported new discomfort since working from home. These results suggest a need for ergonomic interventions including ergonomic training and individual ergonomic assessments for those who work from home.

Healthy and Happy Working from Home? Effects of Working from Home on Employee Health and Job Satisfaction

In addition to its catastrophic health effects, the COVID-19 pandemic also acts as a catalyst for new forms of work. Working from home (WFH) has become commonplace for many people worldwide. But under what circumstances is WFH beneficial and when does it increase harms to health? The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of specific characteristics of WFH for health (work ability, stress-related physical and psychological symptoms) and job satisfaction among German employees. The study is based on data from a Germany-wide panel survey with employees from different industries (n = 519). Using multiple regressions, it was found that the functionality of the technical equipment at home has positive effects on the health of employees (i.e., ability to work, stress-related symptoms) and job satisfaction. The percentual weekly amount of WFH influences stress-related symptoms, i.e., a higher amount of weekly working time WFH, was associated with more stress-related symptoms. Furthermore, it negatively influences job satisfaction. The feeling of increased autonomy leads to positive effects on employees' job satisfaction. The results provide starting points for interventions and indicate the need for legal regulations for WFH. Further theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

COVID-19 and the teacher's voice: self-perception and contributions of speech therapy to voice and communication during the pandemic

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to analyze the vocal self-perception of Brazilian teachers and their communication needs, vocal signs and symptoms, and voice-related lifestyles during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and, based on this information, to develop guidance materials intended for dissemination to these teachers and the general community.

METHODS

An online questionnaire designed for this survey was distributed via the researchers' networks and was available for completion by any teacher, except those who were not working at the time. There were 1,253 teachers from all over Brazil, of both sexes, covering a wide age range, working at different levels of education, and most with more than ten years of experience. Descriptive and inferential analyses of the data were performed.

RESULTS

On comparing the prepandemic period with the current one, participants indicated voice improvements. In contrast, they presented symptoms such as dry throat, effort in addressing remote classes, hoarseness after classes, and difficulties with the use of headphones, among others. They further indicated stress, general fatigue, impact of the pandemic on mental health, and the overlapping of many home tasks with professional tasks. Some smoked, and others hydrated insufficiently.

CONCLUSION

Although teachers generally noticed voice improvements during the pandemic, a proportion of them perceived worsening of voices. Many indicated several factors in which speech-language pathologists could guide them with the aim of improving performance and comfort during remote and hybrid classes, an initiative that will positively impact not only their voice and communication but also their quality of life.