Effects of intranasal oxytocin on the self-perception and anxiety of singers during a simulated public singing performance: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Unlabelled: Professional musicians experience intense social exposure and high levels of preoccupation with their performance and potential negative reactions from the audience, which favor anxiety. Considering that oxytocin (OXT) has a potential therapeutic effect on anxiety, cognitive processes, and decreased psychosocial stress, this study's objective was to assess the effects of a single dose of 24 UI of intranasal OXT among professional singers, during a public singing simulation test, on self-rated performance and mood. This crossover, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial addressed 54 male singers with different levels of musical performance anxiety (42% high).

Effect of COVID-19 Quarantine on Voice Handicap Index in Female Classical Singers.

Objective: This study aimed to verify the impact of vocal deviation in the quality of life of classical female singers over the quarantine imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic through self-assessments.

Methods: Fifty five professional classical female singers filled out an online questionnaire including general questions such as identification, age, professional experience time, vocal classification, time of singing, and rehearsal studies. They all answered the protocol Classical Singing Handicap Index, adapted for this research, which analyses three subscales: Disability, Handicap, and Impairment.

Vocal resistance among choir singers.

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to compare the voice of choir singers before and after 60 min of singing and after an absolute rest.

Methods: Twenty-one female choir singers aged on average 26.59 years, with experience in choir singing of at least one year were instructed to emit the vowel /a/ before and after singing and after a vocal rest of 30 min for an analysis of acoustic measures, and for the evaluation of their tactile-kinesthetic self-perception.

SWALLOWING IN PATIENTS WITH LARYNGITIS.

Background: Dysphagia is described as a complaint in 32% of patients with laryngitis.

Objective: The objective of this investigation was to evaluate oral and pharyngeal transit of patients with laryngitis, with the hypothesis that alteration in oral-pharyngeal bolus transit may be involved with dysphagia.

Methods: Videofluoroscopic evaluation of the swallowing of liquid, paste and solid boluses was performed in 21 patients with laryngitis, 10 of them with dysphagia, and 21 normal volunteers of the same age and sex.

Fundamental Frequency and Formants Before and After Prolonged Voice Use in Teachers.

Objectives: This study aimed to describe and correlate the fundamental frequency behavior and the first four formants before and after exposure to usual and routinely prolonged voice use from teachers with over 4 years of experience in teaching.

Study Design: The study design is observational and transversal with quantitative and descriptive evaluations.

Methods: A total of 28 female teachers were subjected to the Screening Index for Voice Disorder (SIVD) and to recordings of the sustained vowel /a/ before and after exposure to prolonged voice use.

Vocal Parameters and Self-Perception in Individuals With Adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia.

Objective: The study aimed to compare and correlate perceptual-auditory analysis of vocal parameters and self-perception in individuals with adductor spasmodic dysphonia before and after the application of botulinum toxin.

Study Design: This is a prospective cohort study.

Methods: Sixteen individuals with a diagnosis of adductor spasmodic dysphonia were submitted to the application of botulinum toxin in the thyroarytenoid muscle, to the recording of a voice signal, and to the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) questionnaire before the application and at two time points after application.

Electrophysiological activity of the pharyngoesophageal transition of total laryngectomees.

Objectives/hypothesis: To determine the association of the electrophysiological activity of the pharyngoesophageal transition with tracheoesophageal speech proficiency in total laryngectomees.

Study Design: An observational (nonexperimental) study of the correlation type with a descriptive approach.

Methods: Thirty-four individuals (26 males), average age 62.

Effect of the tracheoesophageal voice resistance test in total laryngectomees.

Objectives/hypothesis: To analyze tracheoesophageal voice resistance in laryngectomized patients by comparing the acoustic, perceptive-auditory and self-evaluation measures before and after the voice resistance test.

Study Design: An observational, experimental study with a quantitative and descriptive approach.

Methods: Nineteen total laryngectomees were submitted for capture of vocal intensity, self-assessment of signs and symptoms of voice fatigue using a visual analogue scale, and perceptive-auditory and acoustic analysis of the tracheoesophageal voice before and after the voice resistance test, which consisted of continuous repeated counting from one to 100.

Measurements of the Acoustic Speaking Voice After Vocal Warm-up and Cooldown in Choir Singers.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the acoustic measurements of the vowel /a/ in modal recording before and after a singing voice resistance test and after 30 minutes of absolute rest in female choir singers.

Study Design: This is a prospective cohort study.

Methods: A total of 13 soprano choir singers with experience in choir singing were evaluated through analysis of acoustic voice parameters at three points in time: before continuous use of the voice, after vocal warm-up and a singing test 60 minutes in duration respecting the pauses for breathing, and after vocal cooldown and an absolute voice rest for 30 minutes.

Correlation of maximum phonation time and vocal intensity with intraluminal esophageal and pharyngoesophageal pressure in total laryngectomees.

Objective: This study aimed to correlate maximum phonation time, vocal intensity, and dynamic extension with intraluminal esophageal and pharyngoesophageal segment pressure during tracheoesophageal phonation.

Design: Prospective analysis.

Setting: Tertiary academic hospital.

Nasalance and nasality of tracheoesophageal speech in total laryngectomee.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the rates of nasalance for total laryngectomized users of a tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis and correlate them with the findings of auditory-perceptual assessment of nasality.

Methods: In this study, 25 total laryngectomized users, including 20 men and five women, with a mean age of 63 years old participated. All the participants had a tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis and underwent treatment for the rehabilitation of tracheoesophageal communication.

Correlation of intraluminal esophageal pressure with the dynamic extension of tracheoesophageal voice in total laryngectomees.

Purpose: To evaluate and correlate the amplitude of esophageal contractions triggered by swallowing water with dynamic extension and habitual, strong and weak sound intensity in total laryngectomees wearing a tracheoesophageal prosthesis.

Methods: Thirty total laryngectomees using tracheoesophageal voice with a phonatory prosthesis were evaluated by measuring the amplitude of contractions in the proximal, middle and distal esophagus and the pressure of the pharyngoesophageal transition by manometry. In order to measure vocal intensity the subject was asked to emit phonation of the vowel /a/ at habitual, strong and weak intensity which was captured with a sound pressure meter.

Effect of singing training on total laryngectomees wearing a tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis.

Purpose: To assess the effect of a program of singing training on the voice of total laryngectomees wearing tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis, considering the quality of alaryngeal phonation, vocal extension and the musical elements of tunning and legato.

Methods: Five laryngectomees wearing tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis completed the singing training program over a period of three months, with exploration of the strengthening of the respiratory muscles and vocalization and with evaluation of perceptive-auditory and singing voice being performed before and after 12 sessions of singing therapy.

Results: After the program of singing voice training, the quality of tracheoesophageal voice showed improvement or the persistence of the general degree of dysphonia for the emitted vowels and for the parameters of roughness and breathiness.

Relation between the dimensions and intraluminal pressure of the pharyngoesophageal segment and tracheoesophageal voice and speech proficiency.

Background: The objective of the present study was to relate the dimensions and the intraluminal pressure of the pharyngoesophageal segment (PES) to the voice and speech proficiency of total laryngectomees with a tracheoesophageal prosthesis (TEP).

Methods: Twenty total laryngectomees with secondary TEP insertion underwent evaluation of voice and speech, manometry, and videofluoroscopy.

Results: Most laryngectomees (65%) were moderate speakers.

Correlation between tracheoesophageal voice and speech and intraluminal pharyngoesophageal transition pressure.

Background: Rehabilitation of individuals with total laryngectomy.

Aim: To correlate the voice and speech proficiency of individuals with total laryngectomy, users of tracheoesophageal, prosthesis with the intraluminal pharyngoesophageal transition pressure at rest and during phonation.

Method: Twelve individuals with total laryngectomy and with tracheoesophageal voice, users of speech prosthesis, were submitted to a voice and speech sample gathering and registration.

Intraluminal esophageal pressures in speaking laryngectomees.

Objectives: The objective of the present study was to evaluate intraluminal esophageal pressure during voice and speech emission in speaking laryngectomees with a tracheoesophageal prosthesis.

Methods: In our prospective analysis in a tertiary-care academic hospital, 25 laryngectomees were divided into 2 groups: 11 speaking individuals with a tracheoesophageal prosthesis and a control group of 14 nonspeaking laryngectomees. All patients were subjected to manometry during voice and speech emission tests.

Electrophysiologic activity of the vestibular fold.

Objectives: To assess the vestibular fold muscle after cordectomy and laryngeal reconstruction, the pattern of motor unit recruitment during sound emission, and the morphologic characteristics of motor unit action potentials.

Design: Prospective analysis.

Setting: Tertiary academic hospital.

Behavior of the cricopharyngeal segment during esophageal phonation in laryngectomized patients.

Background: After total laryngectomy, the interruption of the upper digestive tube and the section of the cricopharyngeal segment alter the high-pressure zone of the pharyngoesophageal transition, which will not only start to have a digestive function, but also be stimulated to take on the production of voice and speech. The pressure observed in the cricopharyngeal segment seems to act as a critical factor for the development of esophageal sound production, and manometry is the procedure capable of quantifying the pressure observed in this region.

Objective: The objective of the current study was to assess the upper esophageal sphincter pressure in laryngectomized patients who are either successful or unsuccessful esophageal speakers, both at rest and during esophageal phonation, using manometry.

Proximal esophageal contractions in laryngectomized patients.

After laryngectomy for treatment of laryngeal cancer, the distal esophageal contractions have low amplitude. Our hypothesis is that proximal esophageal contractions are also impaired. We studied the proximal esophageal contractions in 20 laryngectomized patients (16 men) with a mean age of 44.

Vestibular fold flap for post-cordectomy laryngeal reconstruction.

Objectives: The development of techniques causing fewer sequelae without compromising oncologic control has led to better phonation, breathing, and postoperative swallowing in patients submitted to cordectomy. The objective of the present study was to describe post-cordectomy laryngeal reconstruction with a vestibular fold flap and to analyze the resulting laryngeal functions.

Study Design: Prospective study.

Influence of esophageal motility on esophageal speech of laryngectomized patients.

After laryngectomy for treatment of cancer of the larynx, the patient may have vocal rehabilitation by esophageal speech. Some patients fail to achieve the esophageal speech due to reasons involving surgery, radiotherapy, and psychological alterations. Our hypothesis is that the esophageal motility alterations consequent to laryngectomy may be involved in the failure to achieve esophageal speech.