Massed Versus Spaced Practice in Vocology: Effect of a Short-Term Intensive Voice Therapy Versus a Long-Term Traditional Voice Therapy

Exploring autonomic dysfunction in functional dysphonia: A protocol for a case-control study and a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Although psychological factors have been implicated in patients with functional dysphonia (FD), conventional voice therapy (CVT) typically targets the aberrant voice symptoms exclusively. Yet, CVT is not always successful, and in view of the significant adverse quality of life impact combined with the financial burden on the healthcare system and society, research is needed to elucidate the underlying psychophysiology of FD and improve treatment outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

The first objective of this research project is to compare the occurrence and frequency of symptoms and/or disorders related to autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction in patients with FD with gender- and age-matched vocally healthy controls, using a case-control study. The second objective is to compare the effects of a novel therapy for FD based on ANS regulation (i.e., ANS therapy: heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback) on both autonomic function and voice function versus CVT alone or in combination with ANS therapy (i.e., ANS therapy + CVT), using a randomized controlled trial (RCT).

METHODS

Case-control study: Autonomic (dys)function of patients with FD will be compared with gender- and age-matched vocally healthy controls, using both physiological measures (e.g., HRV, skin conductance level) and psychological patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs, e.g., Neuroception of Psychological Safety Scale, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale). RCT: The FD group will be randomly assigned to the innovative ANS therapy group, the CVT group or the ANS therapy + CVT group. All patients received 1 month of treatment with 20 min of daily practice. Both the autonomic assessment and the voice assessment will be performed pretherapy and immediately after therapy by assessors blinded to group allocation and study phase.

EXPECTED RESULTS

Higher occurrences of symptoms and/or disorders related to autonomic dysfunction are expected in patients with FD compared with vocally healthy controls. Physiological outcomes: lower HRV, lower cardiac pre-ejection period, higher respiration rate and higher skin conductance level are hypothesized in patients with FD compared with vocally healthy controls. Psychological PROMs: higher self-report of feelings/symptoms related to autonomic dysfunction (e.g., perceived stress, anxiety) is expected in patients with FD compared with vocally healthy controls. The autonomic function is hypothesized to improve more after the ANS therapy and the ANS therapy + CVT compared with the CVT only. Voice function is expected to improve more after the ANS therapy + CVT compared with the ANS therapy and the CVT alone.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

What is already known on the subject Autonomic dysfunction is well recognized in the field of psychology but remains understudied in the area of voice. Given that the vagus nerve, innervating the larynx, also helps to regulate the ANS, and psychological symptoms commonly observed in patients with FD may reflect ANS dysregulation, research in this area is needed. There is some preliminary evidence that autonomic dysfunction might indeed be associated with FD. However, physiological ANS measures are needed, as well as validated psychological PROMs. What this paper adds to the existing knowledge The first objective of this study is to investigate the occurrence and frequency of symptoms and/or disorders related to autonomic dysfunction in patients with FD as compared with a gender- and age-matched vocally healthy control group. Autonomic (dys)function will be determined by employing both physiological measures (e.g., HRV, skin conductance level) and psychological PROMs (e.g., Neuroception of Psychological Safety Scale, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale). The second objective is to compare the effects of a novel therapy for FD based on ANS regulation (HRV biofeedback) versus CVT alone or in combination with ANS therapy. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? Success rates of symptomatic CVT for FD are highly variable. This study is expected to lead to innovative results related to the pathogenesis and psychophysiology of FD, a prevalent voice disorder associated with a significant adverse quality of life impact and a substantial financial burden on the healthcare system and society. The results of this study will lead to crucial new insights into both the diagnosis and treatment of FD, contributing to evidence-based practice in the field of voice.

Clinical Effects of Voice Therapy on Vocal Outcomes in Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis: Proof-of-Concept Study for Two SOVT-Based Treatment Protocols

BACKGROUND

Studies on treatment efficacy in unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) often lack a predetermined treatment protocol, and little is known about the effects of specific vocal techniques on vocal outcomes and quality of life in UVFP patients. The purpose of this preliminary proof-of-concept study is to investigate the effects and feasibility of two intensive treatment protocols based on water-resistance therapy (WRT) and vocal function exercises (VFE).

METHODS

Ten participants with acute or chronic UVFP/paresis were recruited in the study and randomly assigned to the WRT or VFE group. Three of these participants presented with aphonia and could not complete the program as prescribed. The remaining participants completed an intensive therapy program with the assigned vocal technique. Before, during, and after the program, a multidimensional voice assessment was performed. Maximum phonation time, acoustic, perceptual, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were obtained.

RESULTS

WRT and VFE had positive clinical effects on instrumental and auditory-perceptual voice quality, glottal closure, and PROMs, but interindividual variability was high. Studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to confirm or refute these findings.

CONCLUSION

The WRT- and VFE-based therapy programs are both feasible and seem to elicit positive clinical changes in UVFP patients. Suggestions on how to improve the programs are provided, as well as considerations for implementation in clinical practice. Follow-up research is needed to examine the efficacy of both programs on group level.

Efficacy of Long-Term Intensive Straw Phonation Exercise in Air for Hyperfunctional Voice Disorders: A Preliminary Study

PURPOSE

Literature highlights the efficacy of prolonged use of straw phonation for vocally healthy individuals. Nevertheless, minimal studies have examined the prolonged use of single treatment in hyperfunctional voice disorders (HFVD), as straw phonation is used as physiological training to improve voice quality in these individuals. The present study aimed to investigate the long-term intensive training effect of straw phonation exercise in air (SPEA) for HFVD.

METHOD

In a time series design, seven females with HFVD (mean age 42.28years) participated in SPEA for 12 long sessions (30 minutes/session) intensively trained for 3weeks (4days/week). The participant-recorded voice samples were analyzed for aerodynamic measures Aerodynamic Subglottic Pressure (ASP), Airflow Rate (AFR), glottal behavior measures Contact Quotient (CQ), Contact Quotient Range (CQR), acoustic measure Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI), auditory-perceptual Consensus Auditory Perceptual Evaluation of Voice - Kannada (CAPE-V-K), and self-perceptual measure Voice Handicap Index - Kannada (VHI-K) at pre-therapy, mid-therapy, post therapy, and 1-month follow-up timelines. Related Friedman's two-way analysis of variance and post hoc Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to analyze the change in outcome measures across therapy timelines.

RESULTS

Significant reduction in ASP, CQR, AVQI, CAPE-V-K, and VHI-K measures from pre-therapy to post-therapy and follow-up timelines was observed. Although there was a decrease in AFR and CQ measures from pre therapy to post therapy and follow-up, no significant differences were observed. No significant changes were observed from pre therapy to mid-therapy in any outcome measures, indicating the need for extended therapy duration and regular practice.

CONCLUSION

These findings provide preliminary evidence of implementing the long-term intensive training of SPEA for HFVD with the support of significant outcome measures at various therapy timelines.

A speech therapy treatment protocol for exercise induced laryngeal obstruction

Background

Exercise induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO) is a common cause of exertional breathing problems in young individuals, relevant to 5%-7% of young people. It is caused by paradoxical inspiratory adduction of laryngeal structures and diagnosed by continuous visualization of the larynx during high intensity exercise. Empirical data suggest that EILO consists of different subtypes that require different therapeutic approaches. Currently applied treatment approaches do not rest on randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and thus evidence-based guidelines cannot be established. This protocol describes the speech therapy treatment approach which is applied to EILO patients in a large prospective RCT called HelpILO.

Methods and analysis

Consenting patients consecutively diagnosed with EILO at Haukeland University Hospital are randomized into four treatment arms. Speech therapy is represented in two of these, provided in a structured manner based on general speech therapy principles and abdominal breathing, combined with experience obtained with these patients at our hospital during the last decades. The main outcome measure of HelpILO is changes of laryngoscopically visualized laryngeal adduction, rated at peak exercise before vs. after interventions, using a validated scoring system.

Ethics and dissemination

Despite widespread use of speech therapy in patients with EILO, this approach is insufficiently tested in RCTs, and the study is therefore considered ethically appropriate. The study will provide knowledge listed as a priority in a recent statement issued by major respiratory and laryngological societies and requested by clinicians and researchers engaged in this area. The results will be presented at relevant conferences, patient fora, and media platforms, and published in relevant peer reviewed international journals.

Longitudinal Vocal Outcomes and Voice-Related Quality of Life After Selective Bilateral Laryngeal Reinnervation: A Case Study

PURPOSE

Bilateral vocal fold paralysis (BVFP) is a severe disorder that can result in respiratory, swallowing, and voice-related problems. Most surgical treatments do not restore laryngeal function and often need to compromise voice quality to preserve respiratory function. Laryngeal reinnervation (LR) may offer a solution to this problem, but literature on longitudinal outcomes of this procedure is scarce. This study aims to report the longitudinal vocal outcomes of BVFP after LR and subsequent voice therapy.

METHOD

The case of a 23-year-old man with BVFP after a traumatic dissection of both recurrent laryngeal nerves is described. Selective bilateral LR of both adductors and abductors was performed 5 months after the onset of BVFP. Voice therapy was provided after the LR procedure. Multidimensional voice assessments, including acoustic, perceptual, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), were conducted 2, 5, 6.5, 8, and 31 months after LR.

RESULTS

An improvement of vocal capabilities and voice quality was noticed 6.5 months after LR, after 4.5 months of voice therapy, with normative values after 2.5 years. PROMs showed an improvement of voice-related quality of life, but some limitations to activities of daily living were still present. Inspiratory arytenoid abduction was not observed on laryngeal videostroboscopic findings in this patient, but tracheostomy was not required.

CONCLUSIONS

Voice therapy after LR helps establish healthy and efficient voice use without increasing compensatory hyperfunctional behavior. More research is needed to examine potential merits of voice therapy in the rehabilitation of vocal and respiratory functions after LR.

Pre- and Postoperative Voice Therapy for Benign Vocal Fold Lesions: An International Electronic Delphi Consensus Study

INTRODUCTION

Voice therapy management of benign vocal fold lesions (BVFLs) is variable and there are currently no clinical guidelines. Poor descriptions of voice therapy interventions lead to unwarranted variation in treatment. Triangulation of the current evidence identifies a number of potential best practice elements, but also a number of outstanding questions to be explored. The aim of this study was to refine and gain global consensus on "best practice" for a pre- and postoperative voice therapy intervention for adults with BVFLs.

METHODS

An international sample of expert voice therapists (n = 42) were recruited to take part in this three-round electronic modified Delphi study. Participants were presented with statements concerning a pre- and postoperative voice therapy intervention. Statements were developed from previous research and based on the TIDieR checklist (eg, why, when, what, how?) Participants rated the extent to which they agreed or disagreed with a statement and gave comments to support their response. Consensus was defined as >75% of participants agreeing or strongly agreeing with a given statement. If consensus was not reached, participant comments were used to generate new statements and were rated in the next round. Stability of consensus between rounds was assessed.

RESULTS

The 42 international experts achieved consensus on 33 statements relating to components of a best practice pre- and postoperative voice therapy intervention for patients with BVFLs. Consensus on statements ranged from 81% to 100%. These statements were explicitly mapped to the TIDieR checklist to ensure that all aspects of the intervention were considered and the questions of "why, what, how, when and individual tailoring" were addressed.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has significantly enhanced our understanding of what should be in a best practice pre- and postoperative voice therapy intervention. It is important to now test these findings for acceptability and feasibility, prior to considering effectiveness research.

Pediatric Voice Therapy: How Many Sessions to Discharge?

PURPOSE

Voice therapy is the primary treatment for children presenting with benign morphological vocal fold changes. This study examined the number of voice therapy sessions required to meet treatment goals and identified factors that predicted treatment length for pediatric voice patients.

METHOD

An observational cohort design was employed. Data were extracted from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Voice and Swallow Outcome Database. This study examined 62 children who completed a course of voice therapy with a speech-language pathologist (SLP) addressing dysphonia caused by benign vocal fold lesions. Extracted data included patient demographics, auditory-perceptual assessments, acoustic and aerodynamic voice measures, videostroboscopy ratings, and medical comorbidities. Linear regression was used to identify predictors of number of therapy sessions.

RESULTS

Patients received an average of 7.5 sessions of voice therapy prior to discharge. Baseline auditory-perceptual assessment of dysphonia (p = .032), phonation threshold pressure (PTP, p = .005), Glottal Function Index (GFI) score (p = .006), and glottic closure pattern (p = .023) were significant predictors of number of voice therapy sessions. These measures, as well as hourglass glottic closure, predicted longer intervention duration. The regression model had an overall r 2 of .62.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric voice therapy addressing benign vocal fold lesions and/or laryngeal edema required an average of 7.54 sessions before voice outcomes were sufficiently improved for discharge. More severe overall SLP ratings of dysphonia, GFI scores, PTP, or hourglass glottic closure pattern significantly predicted increased number of therapy sessions prior to discharge. Future work should determine what other factors affect treatment duration and how the efficiency of pediatric voice therapy can be maximized.

Parents' perceptions on speech therapy delivery models in children with a cleft palate: A mixed methods study

PURPOSE

This study investigated parents' perceptions on two different speech therapy delivery models in children with a CP ± L, namely an innovative high intensity speech intervention (i.e. HISI: 10 1-h sessions divided over 2 weeks) and a low intensity speech intervention (i.e. LISI: 10 1-h sessions divided over 10 weeks).

METHOD

Twelve parents of 12 children who received HISI (n = 6) or LISI (n = 6) were contacted with the request to participate to this study to review their opinion on the received therapy. Participation included the completion of a questionnaire containing items related to satisfaction, speech progress, intervention intensity and frequency, transfer, and need for further speech therapy. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were carried out. The interviews were analyzed using an inductive thematic approach.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the two groups in satisfaction with the "general speech therapy, "duration of one speech therapy session", "total intervention duration" and "degree of improvement of speech intelligibility". Following HISI, parents perceived more improvement in terms of spontaneous speech and better resolution of the speech disorders. The interviews revealed 3 themes of importance to the parents: (1) treatment-related expectations, (2) treatment-related burden, and (3) patient-therapist relationship. Parents in the HISI group reported two concerns: (1) the lack of variation when receiving daily intervention, and (2) the emotional burden when the child is confronted with his/her speech disorder on a daily basis.

CONCLUSIONS

Parents were equally satisfied with the provided intervention. Parents in the HISI group perceived more speech progress following the intervention compared to parents in the LISI group. The intensive contact with the speech pathologist enhanced the patient-therapist relationship. To support a cultural shift away from low intensity therapy delivery models, it will be important to counsel and inform parents of the benefits of HISI and to counterbalance concerns.

Is High-Intensity Speech Intervention Better? A Comparison of High-Intensity Intervention Versus Low-Intensity Intervention in Children With a Cleft Palate

Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of speech intervention provided with a low intensity with speech intervention provided with a high intensity on the speech and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Dutch-speaking children with a cleft palate with or without a cleft lip (CP ± L) between 4 and 12 years. Method A longitudinal, prospective, randomized controlled trial with a multiple baseline design was used. Twelve children with a CP ± L (M _age = 8.0 years, SD = 1.54) were divided into two groups using block randomization stratified by age and gender: One group received low-intensity speech intervention (LISI; n = 6) and one group received high-intensity speech intervention (HISI; n = 6). Children in the LISI group received intervention with a session duration of 1 hr, a dose frequency of 1 session per week, and a total intervention duration of 10 weeks. Children in the HISI group received intervention with a session duration of 1 hr, a dose frequency of 5 sessions per week, and a total intervention duration of 2 weeks. The cumulative intervention intensity was kept constant. Both groups received identical therapy programs provided by the same experienced speech therapist. Perceptual speech assessments were performed on baseline and posttreatment data points. Changes in HRQoL were assessed using the Velopharyngeal Insufficiency Effects on Life Outcomes (VELO) questionnaire. Both groups were compared over time using (generalized) linear mixed models. Results No significant Time × Group interactions were observed for the percentage of correctly produced consonants at the word and sentence levels, indicating no differences in evolution over time among the two groups. The variables speech understandability, speech acceptability, and the total VELO scores significantly improved following HISI, but not following LISI. Conclusions Children in the HISI group made equal and, for some variables, even superior progress in only 2 weeks of therapy compared to children in the LISI group who received 10 weeks of therapy. HISI is a promising strategy to improve speech outcomes and HRQoL in a shorter time period.

Front-loading of anatomy content has no effect on long-term anatomy knowledge retention among physical therapy students: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Information learned over a longer period of time has been shown to result in better long-term knowledge retention than information learned over a shorter period of time. In order to address multiple curricular goals, the timing and spacing of anatomy content within the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at our institution recently changed from a very spaced to a very compressed format. The purpose of the present study was to assess differences in anatomy knowledge retention that might have been impacted by this change. The research hypothesis was that students receiving spaced instruction would have significantly better anatomy knowledge retention than students receiving massed instruction.

METHODS

Participants consisted of two cohorts of DPT students that both received 45 contact hours of anatomy lecture and 90 contact hours of anatomy lab. The LONG cohort experienced anatomy through a lecture and lab taught over a 30-week, 2 semester period as separate courses. In contrast, the SHORT cohort took their anatomy lecture and lab concurrently over one 10-week semester. A pre-test was administered on the first day of their anatomy lecture course, and a post-test was administered to each cohort 18 months after completion of their last anatomy exam.

RESULTS

After controlling for age-related differences in the two groups, no significant differences in mean pre-test, post-test, or percentage improvement were found between cohorts (p = 0.516; 0.203; and 0.152, respectively).

CONCLUSION

These findings refute the hypothesis and show that both spaced and massed instruction in these cohorts resulted in the same level of long-term anatomy knowledge retention.

Measuring Stakeholder Perceptions: A Review of Social Validity Reporting in ASHA Journals

Purpose Intervention research in speech-language pathology is growing; however, there remains a gap between research and clinical practice. To promote evidence-based practice, stakeholder input may be solicited during the development and evaluation of treatments. One method of evaluating stakeholder input is by subjectively measuring social validity. Social validity probes end users' satisfaction and acceptability of a treatment. Method This review article explores the type and frequency of subjective social validity measures reported in speech-language pathology treatment literature published in American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology; Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research; and Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools from January 2017 through April 2019. In total, 93 treatment studies were included and coded descriptively. Results Of the 93 treatment studies included in this review, 20 reported subjective measures of social validity. The most common method of measurement was questionnaires (n = 19), followed by interviews (n = 5), and direct observation (n = 1). Conclusions Only 21.5% of reviewed speech-language pathology treatment articles from American Speech-Language-Hearing Association journals reported measures of social validity, although it is a crucial component of implementation of evidence-based practice. We urge researchers and journal editors to include social validity measures in treatment literature as we promote the uptake of evidence-based practices and the involvement of stakeholders during the development of evidence-based practices. We also encourage the development of social validity measures that can be validated on individuals with communication disorders.

Effects of speech therapy for transgender women: A systematic review

Background: For transgender women, communication and speech characteristics might not be congruent with their gender expressions. This can have a major influence on their psychosocial functioning. Higher quality of life scores were observed the more their voice was perceived as feminine. Speech language pathologists may play an important role in this, as the gender affirming hormone treatment for transgender women does not affect the voice. Aim: This systematic review aimed to provide speech and language pathologists with the current literature concerning the effects of speech therapy in transgender women in terms of acoustic and perceptual outcomes. Methods: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was used for reporting this systematic review. The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE (using the PubMed interface) and Embase (using the embase.com interface) were used as electronic databases. All individual studies which measured the effects of speech therapy in transgender women were evaluated with a risk of bias assessment tool and levels of evidence. Relevant data were extracted from these studies and a narrative synthesis was performed. Results: 14 studies were identified through the databases and other sources. These studies show positive outcome results concerning pitch elevation, oral resonance, self-perception and listener perception. However, methodological issues contribute to problems with generalization and reproducibility of the studies. Conclusion: There is an urgent need for effectiveness studies using RCT designs, larger sample sizes, multidimensional voice assessments, well-described therapy programs, investigators blinded to study process, and longer-term follow-up data. Speech and language pathologists who work with transgender women may find these results essential for defining therapy goals.

Effectiveness of Intensive Voice Therapy Versus Weekly Therapy for Muscle Tension Dysphonia: A Noninferiority Randomised Controlled Trial With Nested Focus Group

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the noninferiority of intensive voice therapy and compare its effects with weekly voice therapy on multidimensional outcomes of voice and well-being, satisfaction, and attendance in people with muscle tension dysphonia (MTD). The study further aimed to explore clinician's perceptions of barriers and enablers to implementation of intensive therapy.

STUDY DESIGN

Noninferiority randomised controlled trial with nested focus group.

METHODS

Twenty adults with MTD were randomised to receive either weekly voice therapy (1 hour per week for 8 weeks) or intensive voice therapy (1 hour, 4 days per week for 2 weeks). Participants were assessed by a blinded assessor twice before treatment, once post treatment and once at 4 weeks follow up on the primary outcome measure VHI and a range of secondary auditory-perceptual, acoustic, and patient (i.e., VoiSS, satisfaction) and clinician reported outcome measures (i.e., AusTOMs, attendance rates). Five Speech Language Pathologists also participated in a focus group to explore barriers and enablers to implementing intensive therapy, with questions and analyses guided by the Theoretical Domains Framework.

RESULTS

While noninferiority for the primary outcome measure VHI was not confirmed, secondary outcome measures revealed comparable within group clinically important improvements for VoiSS and the AusTOMs, as well as selected acoustic and auditory-perceptual measures for both groups. A trend of more improvements being maintained in the intensive group was identified. Comparably high satisfaction and attendance was also found between groups. Clinicians reported more enablers than barriers to providing intensive therapy which included beliefs that it led to greater progression and consolidation of patient learning, was supported by the local context and was associated with positive emotions. Barriers related to difficulties with booking and scheduling and the belief that intensive therapy was not for all patients.

CONCLUSIONS

While the current study was likely underpowered to establish non-inferiority of intensive therapy, secondary outcomes suggested that intensive therapy may produce comparable benefits to voice, wellbeing, satisfaction and attendance compared to weekly therapy and may be a viable therapy option for individuals with MTD. When implementing intensive therapy, clinicians should consider patient's preferences and availability, as well as systems which allow for flexible booking and therapy provision for patients. Clear recommendations for future research including the use of a larger sample and telehealth are also provided.

Mapping Meta-Therapy in Voice Interventions onto the Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System

Meta-therapy refers to the clinical dialogue via which direct and indirect voice treatments are introduced and discussed, and which helps build a useful conceptual framework for voice therapy. Meta-therapy was idiosyncratically defined in previous work. However, the current colloquial narrative of meta-therapy is not standardized or specific enough to be reliably taught, rigorously studied, or clinically delivered with high fidelity. Therefore, this article uses a standard framework (the Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System or RTSS) to further articulate and operationalize meta-therapy in vocal rehabilitation. Meta-therapy's conceptual framework generally aligns with the RTSS's treatment theory and associated concepts; e.g., the treatment component and its underlying ingredients, mechanisms of action, and target. Because the treatment theories in meta-therapy most frequently involve mechanisms of action related to information processing, they primarily map onto the RTSS's Representations treatment components. The treatment targets in meta-therapy are often focused on changes in the patient's cognitions, knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, intentions, and/or awareness regarding voice-related modifications. The ingredients in meta-therapy are frequently clinician actions conveying information with the goal of appropriately shaping the patient's mental representations, and are delivered with verbal cues, stories, analogies, etc. This manuscript provides specific examples of how meta-therapy is applied in clinical voice practice. Considerations for future investigation of meta-therapy are proposed.

The Patient's Opinion Regarding Different Service Delivery Models for Voice Therapy

Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare the voice patient's opinion regarding three service delivery models for voice therapy: a short-term intensive voice therapy with individual sessions (IVT-I), a short-term intensive voice therapy with group sessions (IVT-G), or a long-term traditional voice therapy with individual sessions (TVT). Method Forty-six adult voice patients who followed either IVT-I, IVT-G, or TVT were contacted by e-mail with the request to fill in an online questionnaire reviewing their opinion about the received therapy. Several items concerning satisfaction, progress, time-related variables, transfer, and need for further therapy were scored by means of visual analog scales. Participants were also asked whether or not they continued voice therapy after the study. Results There were no significant differences between the three groups regarding the patients' perception of vocal quality improvement, degree of resolution of the voice disorder, duration of one session, total therapy duration, degree of transfer, need for further therapy, and actual continuation of therapy. A higher satisfaction rate was found for patients of the IVT-I and TVT groups than patients of the IVT-G group. The IVT-I group rated the therapy as too frequent compared with the TVT group who rated the frequency as optimal. Conclusion Results suggest that patients are equally satisfied and perceive a similar progress after individual short-term intensive voice therapy and individual long-term traditional voice therapy. This finding creates flexibility in selecting time-related variables depending on the specific case and situation. Patients who received individual therapy were more satisfied than patients who received group therapy. Future larger scale investigation is needed to confirm these results.

Epidemiological Patterns and Treatment Outcomes in a Private Practice Community Voice Clinic

OBJECTIVES

Voice therapy is administered by speech-language pathologists in multiple practice settings, including private practice community voice clinics. However, the evidence for diagnosis patterns and voice treatment outcomes in community voice clinics is very limited. The purpose of this study was to extend knowledge from a previous investigation by assessing the epidemiological patterns of patient referrals to a private practice community voice clinic across a 4-year period (50 months) and to measure the effectiveness of treatment outcomes for patients who were followed up with voice therapy in the same setting.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

Consecutive patient records from November 2014 through January 2019 were reviewed. Patients were grouped into seven categories of distinctive diagnoses. Descriptive data for each group were extracted to determine epidemiological patterns of disorder diagnosis, voice handicap, voice quality severity, age, and gender. For patients who completed at least three treatment sessions, pre- and posttreatment measurements of two assessments, the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) and the Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI), were extracted and compared using a multivariate analysis of variance.

RESULTS

Records from 454 consecutive patient referrals over a 50-month time period were reviewed. The most frequent diagnoses were multifactorial etiologies or those with only a few cases, categorized collectively as an "other" diagnosis category. Diagnoses of nonspecific dysphonia and mid-membranous lesions were also common. Consensus Auditory Perceptual Evaluation of Voice-scale scores were not different among disorders; however, group differences were found for VHI and AVQI. Treatment data were available for 292 patients, with 47 of those patients completing at least three treatment sessions and with data for pre- and posttreatment VHI and AVQI. A mixed multivariate analysis of variance showed a significant effect of treatment (Wilks' Lambda = 0.42, F[2] = 27.58, P < 0.001, ƞ_p² = 0.58), where both AVQI and VHI improved significantly across the pre- to posttreatment measurements.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient characteristics and diagnosis patterns across a 50-month period were similar when compared to a previous study that investigated epidemiological patterns in this clinic across 28 months. Voice therapy administered in this community voice clinic to patients with varied diagnoses was found to be effective based on changes in VHI and AVQI measurements.