Implicações do efeito Lombard sobre a intensidade, freqüência fundamental e estabilidade da voz de indivíduos com doença de Parkinson

Oropharyngeal Geometry of Maxilectomized Patients Rehabilitated with Palatal Obturators in the Trans-surgical Period: Repercussions on the Voice

INTRODUCTION

Patients undergoing maxillectomies may present alterations in the stomatognathic functions involved in oral communication. Rehabilitative treatment should favor the rescue of these functions, through surgical flaps, obturator prostheses or both.

OBJECTIVES

The present study aims to present the impact of the use of the palatal obturator on the oropharyngeal geometry and on the voice of patients undergoing maxillectomies, after adaptation to trans-surgical palatine obturators (TPO).

METHODS

Twelve patients treated at a Cancer Hospital, submitted to maxillectomy and rehabilitated during surgery were evaluated. The oropharyngeal geometry was measured by acoustic pharyngometry and the vocal parameters were evaluated through auditory-perceptual and acoustic analyses. The comparison between the results with and without TPO was analyzed using the Wilcoxon test and the correlation between oropharyngeal measurements and acoustic parameters using Spearman's correlation coefficient, all with a significance level of 5%.

RESULTS

There was a decrease in the following oropharyngeal measurements with the use of TPO: length of the pharyngeal cavity and vocal tract, volume of the oral cavity, pharyngeal and vocal tract and area of ​​the oropharyngeal junction. There was no difference in the length of the oral cavity and in the glottic area between situations with and without TPO. In the vocal evaluation, changes in intelligibility and resonance were observed in the situation without TPO and, in only one case, mild hypernasality was detected in the situation with TPO.

CONCLUSIONS

It is concluded that the use of TPO brought the oropharyngeal measurements closer to normal values ​​and provided an improvement in speech intelligibility and vocal resonance in maxilectomized individuals.

Noise in early childhood education institutions

High sound pressure levels have been observed in schools, and its interference in the health of children and teachers it was taken to analyze these levels in childhood education centers serving children aged zero to six years, investigate the staff's perceptions concerning noise exposure and identify the auditory conditions of these workers and the occurrence of diseases. The study was conducted in ten institutions employing 320 workers. Sound pressure levels were measured according to the technical norms; employees completed a questionnaire on the perception of noise and underwent auditory evaluation. There was high sound pressure level and differences between institutions, situations and places. Most employees are considered exposed to noise with attention and concentration difficulties, anxiety and headache. About 30% of employees had bilateral sensorineural hearing loss in specific frequency. The sound pressure levels found can affect children's learning and the health of all. The employees also perceived elevated levels of noise and indicated some possible negative aspects in their work routine. Actions to improve the acoustic comfort in these institutions will be discussed with the management teams.

Eficácia e limitação da terapia vocal na doença de Parkinson: revisão de literatura

RESUMO: O objetivo desta revisão de literatura foi verificar as evidências científicas e restrições dos diferentes tipos de tratamentos para voz na Doença de Parkinson. O levantamento dos artigos foi realizado nas bases de dados PubMed/MEDLINE, SciELO e Lilacs. Utilizou-se como estratégia de busca as combinações com os seguintes descritores: "Parkinson disease and vocal therapy"; "Parkinson disease and speech acoustic"; "Parkinson disease and voice". Os critérios de inclusão foram: idioma em português ou inglês; artigos dos anos 2003-2013; e estudos de intervenção. Adotou-se como critérios de exclusão: os repetidos nas bases de dados; pesquisas com animais. Durante a busca foram localizados 351 artigos, dos quais apenas 18 deles preenchiam os critérios de inclusão adotados no estudo. Os resultados foram apresentados considerando os diferentes tipos de tratamento para a voz na Doença de Parkinson, de acordo com a técnica de intervenção: medicamentoso, cirúrgico e reabilitação, identificando os autores e ano de publicação, características da amostra, o tipo de tratamento, o método utilizado e a conclusão do estudo. Nesta pesquisa observou-se reduzida produção científica no tratamento da voz na doença de Parkinson. A maioria dos artigos abordou as técnicas de tratamento para a voz de alto custo, ou que necessitam de habilitação/certificação no método para a realização da terapia de voz.

Voz do professor: sintomas de desconforto do trato vocal, intensidade vocal e ruído em sala de aula

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar se existe correlação entre a intensidade vocal das professoras e o ruído em sala de aula, assim como entre a intensidade vocal e os sintomas de desconforto do trato vocal, antes e após a aula. Métodos: Participaram 27 professoras do Ensino Fundamental I. Foram utilizados os questionários Condição de Produção Vocal do Professor e Escala de Desconforto do Trato Vocal, aplicados antes e após a aula. Para medição do ruído dentro da sala de aula e da intensidade vocal das professoras foi utilizado decibelímetro. Resultados: Houve correlação positiva moderada entre a intensidade vocal e o ruído. Observou-se diferença significativa entre a EDTV e as professoras com e sem queixa vocal antes e após a aula. Quando comparadas separadamente nos dois momentos, verificou-se aumento nos escores tanto para as professoras com queixa vocal quanto para as que não apresentaram queixa. Ocorreram associações dos sintomas do trato vocal antes e após a aula, da frequência de queimação, coceira, garganta irritada e garganta sensível. A intensidade dos sintomas foi significativa para garganta dolorida, coceira e bola na garganta. Observaram-se valores significativos sobre intensidade vocal e frequência e intensidade dos sintomas para garganta sensível e bola na garganta antes da aula e garganta irritada e bola na garganta após a aula. Conclusão: O aumento da intensidade vocal das professoras correlaciona-se aos altos níveis de ruído. Constata-se correlação entre intensidade vocal e sintomas de desconforto do trato vocal, sendo a maioria dos sintomas relatados com maior frequência e intensidade após a aula.

Tempo máximo de fonação de futuros profissonais da voz

OBJETIVO: verificar os tempos máximos de fonação (TMF) de vogais e correlacionar os resultados das relações entre /e/ áfono e sonoro (ė/e), s/z e TMF obtido/previsto (TMFO/TMFP), conforme o sexo, em futuros profissionais da voz adultos com voz normal. MÉTODO: seleção por meio de avaliação vocal pela escala RASATI; coleta dos TMF /a, i, u, e, s, z/, do /e/ áfono (/ė/) e da capacidade vital; cálculo das relações s/z, ė/e e TMFO/TMFP de 50 mulheres (média 21,42 anos) e 12 homens (média 24,25 anos). RESULTADOS: em ambos os sexos, os TMF estiveram significantemente dentro da normalidade ou com valores diminuídos, sugerindo equilíbrio ou escape aéreo à fonação. Relação s/z significantemente normal, relação ė/e significantemente aumentada quando comparada aos resultados diminuídos e, relação TMFO/TMFP sem diferenças significantes. Resultados que apontaram equilíbrio ou hipercontração de pregas vocais à fonação. Correlação positiva significante apenas entre as relações ė/e e s/z mostrando que crescem proporcionalmente e que a relação TMFO/TMFP não se correlaciona com elas. CONCLUSÃO: os futuros profissionais da voz adultos e com voz normal estudados em sua maioria apresentaram os TMF de vogais dentro da normalidade ou diminuídos, a relação s/z normal; a relação ė/e com valores aumentados quando comparada ao grupo com valores diminuídos, sugerindo a presença de incoordenação pneumofonoarticulatória. A correlação positiva entre as relações ė/e e s/z sugere que ambas fornecem resultados compatíveis entre si, não ocorrendo o mesmo com a relação TMFO/TMFP.

Idiopathic Parkinson's disease: vocal and quality of life analysis

OBJECTIVE: To compare voice and life quality of male patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease, with individuals without disease (Control Group). METHODS: A cross-sectional study that evaluated the voice of individuals with Parkinson's disease, the group was composed of 27 subjects, aged from 39 to 79 years-old (average 59.96). The Control Group was matched on sex and age. Participants underwent voice recording. Perceptual evaluation was made using GRBASI scale, which considers G as the overall degree of dysphonia, R as roughness, B as breathiness, A as asthenia, S as strain and I as instability. The acoustic parameters analyzed were: fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, and harmonic to noise ratio (NHR). For vocal self-perception analysis, we used the Voice Related Quality of Life protocol. RESULTS: Fundamental frequency and jitter presented higher values in the Parkinson's group. NHR values were higher in the Control Group. Perceptual analysis showed a deviation ranging. The vocal disorder self-perception demonstrated a worse impact on quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with Parkinson's disease have an altered voice quality and a negative impact on quality of life.

Speech and language therapy versus placebo or no intervention for speech problems in Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND

Parkinson's disease patients commonly suffer from speech and vocal problems including dysarthric speech, reduced loudness and loss of articulation. These symptoms increase in frequency and intensity with progression of the disease). Speech and language therapy (SLT) aims to improve the intelligibility of speech with behavioural treatment techniques or instrumental aids.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the efficacy of speech and language therapy versus placebo or no intervention for speech and voice problems in patients with Parkinson's disease.

SEARCH METHODS

Relevant trials were identified by electronic searches of numerous literature databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL, as well as handsearching of relevant conference abstracts and examination of reference lists in identified studies and other reviews. The literature search included trials published prior to 11(th) April 2011.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Only randomised controlled trials (RCT) of speech and language therapy versus placebo or no intervention were included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Data were abstracted independently by CH and CT and differences settled by discussion.

MAIN RESULTS

Three randomised controlled trials with a total of 63 participants were found comparing SLT with placebo for speech disorders in Parkinson's disease. Data were available from 41 participants in two trials. Vocal loudness for reading a passage increased by 6.3 dB (P = 0.0007) in one trial, and 11.0 dB (P = 0.0002) in another trial. An increase was also seen in both of these trials for monologue speaking of 5.4 dB (P = 0.002) and 11.0 dB (P = 0.0002), respectively. It is likely that these are clinically significant improvements. After six months, patients from the first trial were still showing a statistically significant increase of 4.5 dB (P = 0.0007) for reading and 3.5 dB for monologue speaking. Some measures of speech monotoni city and articulation were investigated; however, all these results were non-significant.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Although improvements in speech impairments were noted in these studies, due to the small number of patients examined, methodological flaws, and the possibility of publication bias, there is insufficient evidence to conclusively support or refute the efficacy of SLT for speech problems in Parkinson's disease. A large well designed placebo-controlled RCT is needed to demonstrate SLT's effectiveness in Parkinson's disease. The trial should conform to CONSORT guidelines. Outcome measures with particular relevance to patients with Parkinson's disease should be chosen and patients followed for at least six months to determine the duration of any improvement.

Investigations into vocal doses and parameters pertaining to primary school teachers in classrooms

Investigations into vocal doses and parameters were carried out on 40 primary school teachers (36 females and 4 males) in six schools in Italy, divided into two groups of three, A and B, on the basis of the type of building and the mid-frequency reverberation time in the classrooms, which was 1.13 and 0.79 s, respectively. A total of 73 working-day samples were collected (66 for females and 7 for males), from which 54 traditional lessons were analyzed separately. The average value over the working days of the mean sound pressure level of the voiced speech at 1 m from the teacher's mouth was 62.1 dB for the females and 57.7 dB for the males, while the voicing time percentage was 25.9 and 25.1 %, respectively. Even though the vocal doses and parameters did not differ for the two school groups, the differences in the subjective scores were significant, with enhanced scores in group B. A 0.72 dB increase in speech level per 1 dB increase in background noise level, L(A90), was found during traditional lessons, as well as an increase in the mean value of the fundamental frequency with an increase in L(A90), at a rate of 1.0 Hz/dB.

Medidas vocais acústicas na doença de Parkinson: estudo de casos

TEMA: características vocais acústicas de indivíduos com Doença de Parkinson (DP). PROCEDIMENTOS: estudo de casos, estatística descritiva; cinco pares de parkinsonianos e controle, três masculinos e dois femininos, entre 36 e 63 anos. Avaliação otorrinolaringológica, fonoaudiológica, voz analisada pelo Multi-Dimensional Voice Program Advanced Model 5105 da Kay Pentax®. RESULTADOS: a f0 das mulheres adultas de meia-idade com DP ficou na faixa masculina e a f0 dos controles no limite inferior da faixa feminina. Nos demais sujeitos, que eram homens de diferentes idades, a f0 foi normal; houve aumento de todas as medidas acústicas principalmente nos sujeitos com DP de todas as faixas etárias estudadas. CONCLUSÃO: o processo de envelhecimento e suas consequências parecem atuar como fator interferente nas modificações acústicas da voz, mas, aparentemente, a DP e a idade precoce de seu aparecimento podem acentuar tais alterações, repercutindo de forma negativa na fonação.

Voz e fala de Parkinsonianos durante situações de amplificação, atraso e mascaramento

TEMA: indivíduos com doença de Parkinson apresentam alterações de voz e fala, principalmente em relação à loudness e velocidade de fala. OBJETIVO: verificar o efeito imediato do monitoramento auditivo modificado: amplificação, atraso e mascaramento na voz e fala de indivíduos com doença de Parkinson, de acordo com os sexos. MÉTODO: 26 indivíduos com doença de Parkinson, 15 homens e 11 mulheres, com faixa etária entre 40 e 86 anos e idade média de 69 anos. O material de fala consistiu na contagem de vinte a zero, quatro vezes, em quatro diferentes situações de escuta: habitual, amplificada, atrasada e mascarada. Para análise perceptivo-auditiva foram selecionados os seguintes parâmetros: qualidade vocal, loudness, pitch, nível geral de tensão, velocidade de fala e articulação. A avaliação foi realizada por cinco fonoaudiólogas especialistas em voz. Para a análise acústica foram selecionados os seguintes parâmetros: freqüência fundamental, intensidade e tempo máximo de fonação. RESULTADOS: Por meio da análise perceptivo-auditiva, verificou-se melhora da qualidade vocal, aumento da loudness, maior tensão e melhor articulação na situação de mascaramento; piora da qualidade vocal, redução da loudness, menor tensão, lentificação na velocidade de fala e piora na articulação nas situações de atraso e amplificação. Na análise acústica, observou-se aumento da freqüência fundamental e intensidade vocal sob mascaramento e aumento do tempo máximo de fonação sob atraso. CONCLUSÃO: A situação de mascaramento produz melhores efeitos imediatos na voz e na fala dos indivíduos com doença de Parkinson e as situações de amplificação e atraso não produzem modificações imediatas satisfatórias.

Speech and language therapy for dysarthria in Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND

Dysarthria is a common manifestation of Parkinson's disease which increases in frequency and intensity with the progress of the disease (Streifler 1984). Up to 20% of Parkinsonian patients are referred for speech and language therapy (S & L T), its aim being to improve the intelligibility of the patient's speech.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the efficacy of speech and language therapy versus placebo or no interventions in patients with Parkinson's disease.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Relevant trials were identified by electronic searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, ISI-SCI, AMED, MANTIS, REHABDATA, REHADAT, GEROLIT, Pascal, LILACS, MedCarib, JICST-EPlus, AIM, IMEMR, SIGLE, ISI-ISTP, DISSABS, Conference Papers Index, Aslib Index to Theses, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, the CentreWatch Clinical Trials listing service, the metaRegister of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov, CRISP, PEDro, NIDRR and NRR; and examination of the reference lists of identified studies and other reviews.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Only randomised controlled trials (RCT) were included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Data were abstracted independently by KD and RW and differences settled by discussion.

MAIN RESULTS

Three randomised controlled trials were found comparing speech and language therapy with placebo for speech disorders in Parkinson's disease. A total of 63 patients were examined. The loudness of the patients' voices were increased by between 7-18%, depending on the speaking task being performed. It is likely that this is a clinically significant improvement. After six months the degree of improvement was reduced but was still statistically significant. Overall measures of dysarthria were measured in two trials and also improved. The clinical significance of these improvements was less clear cut as intelligibility of speech was not measured in any of these studies.

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS

Considering the small number of patients examined, the methodological flaws in many of the studies, and the possibility of publication bias, there is insufficient evidence to support or refute the efficacy of speech and language therapy for dysarthria in Parkinson's disease. A Delphi-style survey is needed to develop a consensus as to what is 'standard' S< for dysarthria in Parkinson's disease. Then a large well designed placebo-controlled RCT is needed to demonstrate speech and language therapy's effectiveness for dysarthria in Parkinson's disease. The trial should conform to CONSORT guidelines. Outcome measures with particular relevance to patients should be chosen and the patients followed for at least 6 months to determine the duration of any improvement.