Teachers are a population at high risk for voice disorders given their occupational demands. In a teaching career, a common debilitating symptom among all vocal symptoms experienced is - vocal fatigue, impacting teachers' occupational performance and increasing health care costs. It is therefore essential to identify potential treatment options to alleviate the symptom of vocal fatigue. The purpose of this study is to utilize a body-system level cardiovascular training protocol in comparison to traditional voice production training to alleviate the symptoms of vocal fatigue.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
31
Participants will be randomized to either one of the treatment arms to receive treatment for a period of 4 weeks.
Participants will be randomized to either one of the treatment arms to receive treatment for a period of 4 weeks.
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, Tennessee, United States
Changes in Physiologic Cost of Speaking
Physiologic Cost of Speaking is measured as the rate of oxygen consumption at steady state/ rate of speech (wpm) for each of the two reading tasks
Time frame: At baseline, at 4 weeks after treatment
Changes in Oxygen Uptake Kinetics
Oxygen Uptake Kinetics is measured as the pattern of oxygen use during each of the two reading tasks
Time frame: At baseline, at 4 weeks after treatment
Changes in Post Task Physiological Recovery
Post Task Physiological Recovery is measured as the time, seconds, to reach baseline of oxygen consumption post task (within 0.2ml/kg/min) following each of the reading tasks
Time frame: At baseline, at 4 weeks after treatment
Changes in Excess Post Exercise Consumption (EPOC)
EPOC is measured as the magnitude of recovery oxygen consumption, ml/kg/min for each of the reading tasks
Time frame: At baseline, at 4 weeks after treatment
Changes in Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE)
Borg Scale of Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE)- measures the self-report of vocal effort for each of the reading tasks
Time frame: At baseline, at 4 weeks after treatment
Changes in Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI)
Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI) is a retrospective scale that measures self-reported symptoms of vocal fatigue
Time frame: At baseline, at 4 weeks after treatment
Changes in Global Rating of Vocal Fatigue (VAS 100mm)
Global Rating of Vocal Fatigue (VAS 100mm) measures the ability to sustain voice with no fatigue at the end of a working day
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Time frame: At baseline, at 4 weeks after treatment