Voice Quality of Life and Musculoskeletal Symptoms of Pregnant Women.

Introduction: Quality of life in terms of voice and musculoskeletal symptoms can be affected, especially at the end of pregnancy when major physical changes occur.

Objective: To analyze the results of vocal self-assessment and musculoskeletal symptoms of pregnant women in the second and third trimester.

Methods: Forty-nine pregnant women in the second and third trimester aged between 18 and 40years were examined using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and the Voice-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire.

Can We Use the Maximum Phonation Time as a Screening of Pulmonary Forced Vital Capacity in Post-COVID-19 Syndrome Patients?

Objective: To verify the accuracy of the maximum phonation time of the vowel /a/ (MPT/a/), fricative /s/ (MPT/s/), number counting (MPTC), and number reached in this count (CN) to estimate forced vital capacity (FVC) in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome.

Method: Cross-sectional study involving adult patients, who were admitted to the intensive care unit and referred to the Post-COVID-19 Rehabilitation Outpatient Clinic. Voice function was assessed using a Vocal Handicap Index (VHI) self-assessment questionnaire and MPT tests.

CPAP Treatment Improves Quality of Life and Self-perception of Voice Impairment in Patients with OSA.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine vocal fatigue and impairment, gastroesophageal symptoms, dysphagia risk, and sleep-related quality of life in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who have been treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) compared to those who have not received treatment.

Methods: Fifty-four participants diagnosed with OSA completed an online research form. Of these, 29 were receiving CPAP treatment, while 25 were not undergoing treatment.

Maximum Phonation Times as Biomarkers of Lung Function.

Purpose: To verify whether measurements of maximal phonation times are biomarkers of forced vital capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and to characterize the vocal aspects of these patients, taking into account variables, such as age, body mass index, use of bronchodilators, presence of symptoms, and quality of life related to voice.

Methods: Complete records of 25 subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, both sexes, aged 31 to 85 years, evaluated by forced vital capacity, maximum phonation times of /a/, and numerical count and number reached at this count, Vocal Symptom Scale, Voice Quality of Life. Data were presented descriptively and statistically analyzed using Student's t test for independent samples and Mann-Whitney U test.

A speech therapy for transgender women: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: We systematically reviewed the literature and performed a meta-analysis on the effects of speech therapy and phonosurgery, for transgender women, in relation to the fundamental frequency gain of the voice, regarding the type of vocal sample collected, and we compared the effectiveness of the treatments. In addition, the study design, year, country, types of techniques used, total therapy time, and vocal assessment protocols were analyzed.

Methods: We searched the PubMed, Lilacs, and SciELO databases for observational studies and clinical trials, published in English, Portuguese, or Spanish, between January 2010 and January 2023.

Effect of Pompage on Vocal and Respiratory Measurements from Female Teachers: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction: Teachers stand out among occupational groups due to their contribution to modern societies, and their voice is the main form of interaction.

Objective: The aim of the study was to verify the changes in vocal and respiratory measurements from teachers with vocal and musculoskeletal complaints and with normal larynx after applying a musculoskeletal manipulation protocol of myofascial release using pompage.

Methods: Controlled and randomized clinical trial with 56 participants: 28 teachers in the study group and 28 teachers in the control group.

Respiratory and Sound Pressures, Maximum Phonation Time, Cervical Disability and Voice-Related Quality of Life of Teachers.

Introduction: Many teachers report discomfort and a decrease in the quality of aerodynamic, respiratory, and cervical vocal aspects as well as of vocal self-assessment.

Objective: Characterize and correlate measurements of Sound Pressure Levels, Maximum Phonation Time of /a/, Maximum Respiratory Pressures, Voice-Related Quality of Life and cervical pain in teachers with vocal and musculoskeletal complaints and no organic vocal fold lesions, and compare with normative values.

Methods: Retrospective study with 56 teachers.

Finger Kazoo Intensive Short-term Vocal Therapy: Vocal and Aerodynamic Measurements in Female Teachers.

Objective: to verify the effect after short-term intensive therapy with the Finger Kazoo technique on vocal and aerodynamic measures of dysphonic female teachers.

Method: blind randomized clinical trial. Fifteen female teachers without structural disorders of vocal folds and nine with vocal nodules participated in the study groups.

Aerodynamic and Manovacuometric Vocal Measurements in Pregnant Women in the Second and Third Trimesters of Pregnancy.

Objective: To describe and to correlate the aerodynamic and manovacuometric voice measurements of pregnant women.

Methods: The following evaluations were carried out on 49 pregnant women - between 18 and 40 years old - in the second and third trimesters of gestational age: respiratory muscle strength, maximum phonation time of /a/, habitual, minimum, and maximum sound pressure levels. The data were statistically described and tested for the hypothesis of no association between voice measurements and refence levels, and for the correlation between voice measurements.

Quality of Life Predictors in Voice of Individuals With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Objective: To investigate whether there is a relationship between voice-related quality of life, pulmonary function, risk of dysphagia, symptoms of dyspnea, and the different degrees of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and to verify which factors may be associated to voice-related quality of life.

Methods: Complete records of 37 individuals diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, of both sexes, aged between 35 and 89, assessed using the Voice-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire, Questionnaire for Dysphagia Screening, Modified Medical Research Council, Index of Body Mass, Peak Expiratory Flow, COPD Assessment Test and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease classification.

Results: There was a significant, moderate, and negative correlation between the total scores and the physical domain scores of the Voice-Related Quality of Life as a COPD Assessment Test.

Self-assessment of teachers with normal larynges and vocal and osteomuscular complaints.

Introduction: Teachers face vocal problems related to long periods of speech and increased sound pressure, as well as environmental noise, inadequate posture and tension of the cervical muscles.

Objective: To verify the results of self-assessment of teachers with normal larynges and vocal and musculoskeletal complaints, and compare them with the reference values.

Methods: Fifty-seven teachers, aged between 21 and 60 years (average 40.

Acoustic and Physiological Voice Assessment And Maximum Phonation Time In Patients With Different Types Of Dysarthria.

Objective: To compare the maximum phonation time of /a/, acoustic glottal source parameters, and physiological measures in patients with dysarthria.

Method: Thirteen patients were classified according to dysarthria type and divided into functional profiles (hypofunctional, hyperfunctional, and mixed). Assessments of maximum phonation time of /a/, glottal source parameters, electroglottography, and nasometry were performed.

Acoustic Measures of Brazilian Transgender Women's Voices: A Case-Control Study.

This study aims to compare the acoustic vocal analysis results of a group of transgender women relative to those of cisgender women. Thirty transgender women between the ages of 19 and 52 years old participated in the study. The control group was composed of 31 cisgender women between the ages of 20 and 48 years old.

Effect of Pompage on Teachers Self-Assessment-Clinical Trial.

Objective: To verify the results of self-assessments of teachers with vocal and musculoskeletal complaints and with the normal larynx, after myofascial release using pompage.

Methods: Double-blind, controlled, and randomized clinical trial including 28 teachers in the study group and 28 teachers in the control group, totaling 56 participants. Anamnesis, video laryngoscopy, hearing screening, clinical and photogrammetric postural assessment, pain threshold in cervical muscles, sound pressure and maximum phonation time measurements, and manovacuometry were performed.

Voice-Related Quality of Life, Anxiety, and Depression in Female Teachers: Finger Kazoo Intensive Short-Term Vocal Therapy.

Background: Among professional voice users, teachers are subject to higher risks of developing occupational dysphonia due to their abusive use of the voice, usually under unfavorable conditions.

Objectives: Quantify the vocal self-perception, the voice-related quality of life, and the anxiety, and depression symptoms, of dysphonic female teachers, after a brief and intensive short-term voice therapy using the finger kazoo technique.

Methods: Blinded, randomized, and controlled clinical trial.

Spectrographic Vocal Assessment Protocol (SVAP): Reliability and Criterion Validity.

Objective: To present evidence of the reliability and validity in the Spectrographic Vocal Assessment Protocol.

Methods: The sample consisted of 50 female participants, aged 25-62 years old, 24 with a otorhinolaryngological diagnosis of the normal larynx or posterior glottal gap, and 26 diagnosed with vocal fold disturbances. The emission of the vowel /a:/ was analyzed by the Real Time Spectrogram software.

Development and Evidence of Content Validity of the Spectrographic Vocal Assessment Protocol (SVAP).

Objective: To develop and seek evidence of content validity of a spectrographic vocal assessment protocol.

Methods: Methodological study for development and validation of an assessment instrument. A broad literature search was conducted to develop and substantiate a spectrographic vocal assessment protocol.

Characteristics of the Voice of Dysphonic School Children from 4:0 to 7:11 Years Old.

Background: Childhood dysphonia is frequent and has many origins, with the most common initial symptom being the altered vocal quality.

Objective: Describe and correlate the auditory-perceptual and acoustic characteristics of the voice, and the maximum phonation time (MPT), of dysphonic schoolchildren from private and public schools from 4:0 to 7:11 years old, female and male.

Methods: MPT, acoustic (Multi-Dimensional Voice Program Advanced and Real Time Spectrogram), and auditory-perceptual (Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice) evaluations of 115 schoolchildren were statistically analyzed.

Maximum Phonation Time and Body Mass Index in Nondysphonic Eutrophic Children.

Background: Literature presents controversial maximum phonation time values in children.

Objective: Verify and correlate the maximum phonation time of vowels /a, i, u/ and the body mass index of children.

Method: Evaluation of 484 children, eutrophic and without dysphonia, aged from 4:00 to 7:11 years.

Aerodynamic Vocal Measurements in Female Teachers: Finger Kazoo Intensive Short-Term Vocal Therapy.

Objective: Obtain aerodynamic vocal measurements of dysphonic female teachers from two groups, before and after a brief and intensive short-term voice therapy using the finger kazoo technique, compare to the respective control groups, and compare between the two study groups.

Study Design: A randomized blind controlled clinical trial.

Methods: A randomized blind controlled clinical trial.

Singing Style, Vocal Habits, and General Health of Professional Singers.

 For the singer, the voice is a medium used to express feelings that capture the listener. Every singing style has specific demands, and a vocal alteration may prevent the singer from meeting them.  To compare the singing style, the vocal habits, and the general health data of professional singers.

Glottal Closure in Women with No Voice Complaints or Laryngeal Disorders.

 The understanding of normal vocal production is essential to guide any voice professional as it is fundamental to understand the effects of the posterior glottal gap on the vocal quality.  The aim of the present study was to verify the association between glottic closure, acoustic parameters, and some characteristics of the videolaryngostroboscopy of young women without vocal complaints nor laryngeal disorders.  This is a cross-sectional study with 56 women between 20 and 30 years old who underwent videolaryngostroboscopy.

Acoustic Measurements of the Glottic Source of Female Teachers With Dysphonia.

Objective: To verify the acoustic measurements of glottic source of dysphonic teachers of a medium-sized municipality of interior of the state.

Methods: Retrospective, cross-sectional, and quantitative study, with a composite sample of 34 dysphonic teachers, of which 21 teachers without laryngeal affections and 13 with laryngeal affections, mean age 39.1 years old and 39.

Acoustic Voice Modifications in Individuals with Parkinson Disease Submitted to Deep Brain Stimulation.

 Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) improves motor function in individuals with Parkinson disease (PD). The evidence about the effects of STN-DBS on the voice is still inconclusive.  To verify the effect of STN-DBS on the voice of Brazilian individuals with PD.

Phonotherapeutic Intervention in Patients With Mucosal Leishmaniasis Sequelae.

Purpose: To characterize the voice before and after speech-language intervention, with Humming nasal sound in patients with sequelae Mucosal Leishmaniasis (ML) and Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL).

Methods: Collection of phonation /a:/ from 44 patients with ML and CL for perceptual voice analysis and computed acoustic. The Wilcoxon nonparametric test and Fisher's exact test were used, with significance level of 5%.