To investigate the change in fundamental frequency range and vocal fold stability achievable with vocal fold stretching exercise in human populations with high and low vocal activity
The vocal ligament is part of the layered structure of the vocal fold. It is a thin band of tissue near the superior medial edge of the vocal fold. The cord-like appearance of the ligament gave rise to the traditional term "vocal cord". The ligament connects the arytenoid cartilage (lower broad dark region) to the anterior portion of the thyroid cartilage (upper dark region). The slightly thickened endpoints are known as the anterior and posterior macula flava. In the medial-lateral direction, the vocal ligament comprises the intermediate and deep layer of the lamina propria. The physiological functions of the vocal ligament are not fully understood. One function is to limit mechanical strain (elongation), a general function of most ligaments in the body. A second function may be to produce a firm closure of the glottis by forming a straight edge along the membranous (vibrating) portion of the vocal fold. A strong ligament that can be tensed with exercise is likely to help straighten the edge of the folds. Vocal fold bowing, for example, is a pathological condition often associated with advanced age, but it can also occur in young adults who press their arytenoid cartilages together excessively in speech. Atrophy of the thyroarytenoid muscle, which lies lateral to the ligament, causes the middle of the membranous vocal fold to be retracted from the midline of the glottis. The result is a weak voice because airflow cannot be suddenly shut off for efficient acoustic excitation of the vocal tract. For self-sustained vocal fold vibration, the superficial layer must be very pliable and deformable for mucosal surface-wave motion. The role of the ligament is then to stabilize the vertical motion when large pressures are applied to vocal fold surfaces. The most important known function of the ligament, however, is to widen the fundamental frequency range. The stiffer the ligament, the greater the likelihood that several octaves of fo range can be achieved.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
120
Pitch Glides: (1 minute) Vocalize through the straw starting from as low as possible to as high as possible. As the participant you will want to get as much as your vocal range as possible. But, don't let the voice get growly at the bottom or press it into a painful range at the top. 2\. Accents: (1 minute) Vocalize progressive little hills or accents. It sounds like a revving engine of the car. 3\. Song: (1 minute) Pick a favorite song and vocalize it through the straw. Examples: National Anthem, Happy Birthday, Mary had a Little Lamb. These are great songs because they have a range of pitches and one can build some accents in, as well. 4\. Reading passage: (1 minute) Vocalize a reading passage through the straw. Be as dramatic as possible, using a lot of inflection.
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Voice Range Profile (VRP)
a thorough voice range profile will be created by testing the participants lowest (minimum) and highest (maximum) achievable pitches across a spectrum of vocal intensities (soft, medium and loud).
Time frame: pre-intervention (initial evaluation)
Voice Range Profile (VRP)
a thorough voice range profile will be created by testing the participants lowest (minimum) and highest (maximum) achievable pitches across a spectrum of vocal intensities (soft, medium and loud).
Time frame: 8 weeks post intervention
Voice Range Profile (VRP)
a thorough voice range profile will be created by testing the participants lowest (minimum) and highest (maximum) achievable pitches across a spectrum of vocal intensities (soft, medium and loud).
Time frame: 3 months following intervention
Electroglottography (EGG)
Electroglottograph, or EGG, is a device used for the noninvasive measurement of the degree of contact between the vibrating vocal folds during voice production. Electrodes are applied on the surface of the neck so that the EGG records variations in the transverse electrical impedance of the larynx can be measured.
Time frame: pre-intervention
Electroglottography (EGG)
Electroglottograph, or EGG, is a device used for the noninvasive measurement of the degree of contact between the vibrating vocal folds during voice production. Electrodes are applied on the surface of the neck so that the EGG records variations in the transverse electrical impedance of the larynx can be measured.
Time frame: 8 weeks post intervention
Electroglottography (EGG)
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Electroglottograph, or EGG, is a device used for the noninvasive measurement of the degree of contact between the vibrating vocal folds during voice production. Electrodes are applied on the surface of the neck so that the EGG records variations in the transverse electrical impedance of the larynx can be measured.
Time frame: 3 months following treatment.
Acoustic measurement
An audio recording of each participant will be obtained. The participant will sustain the "ah" and "ee" vowel three times for the maximum amount of time they are able. They will then read the CAPE-V (Zraick et al., 2011), rainbow passage (Fairbanks, 1960), and describe the cookie theft picture (Borod et al., Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination 1980). The samples will then be analyzed using Phonanium, an automated acoustic analysis software. Acoustics will include fundamental frequency, fundamental frequency standard deviation, relative sound pressure level (SPL), SPL standard deviation, cepstral peak prominence smooth (CPPS), harmonic to noise ratio, and noise to harmonic ratio, acoustic voice quality index (AVQI), and spectral slope.
Time frame: pre-intervention
Acoustic measurement
An audio recording of each participant will be obtained. The participant will sustain the "ah" and "ee" vowel three times for the maximum amount of time they are able. They will then read the CAPE-V (Zraick et al., 2011), rainbow passage (Fairbanks, 1960), and describe the cookie theft picture (Borod et al., Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination 1980). The samples will then be analyzed using Phonanium, an automated acoustic analysis software. Acoustics will include fundamental frequency, fundamental frequency standard deviation, relative sound pressure level (SPL), SPL standard deviation, cepstral peak prominence smooth (CPPS), harmonic to noise ratio, and noise to harmonic ratio, acoustic voice quality index (AVQI), and spectral slope.
Time frame: 8 weeks post intervention
Acoustic measurement
An audio recording of each participant will be obtained. The participant will sustain the "ah" and "ee" vowel three times for the maximum amount of time they are able. They will then read the CAPE-V (Zraick et al., 2011), rainbow passage (Fairbanks, 1960), and describe the cookie theft picture (Borod et al., Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination 1980). The samples will then be analyzed using Phonanium, an automated acoustic analysis software. Acoustics will include fundamental frequency, fundamental frequency standard deviation, relative sound pressure level (SPL), SPL standard deviation, cepstral peak prominence smooth (CPPS), harmonic to noise ratio, and noise to harmonic ratio, acoustic voice quality index (AVQI), and spectral slope.
Time frame: 3 months following treatment.