Actively Recruiting
Deconstructing Voice Therapy: Towards Enhanced Communication Outcomes
Led by Emory University · Updated on 2025-10-20
120
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
E
Emory University
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating different methods of voice therapy to improve speech outcomes over 12 months in people with voice problems, specifically those diagnosed with primary muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) or benign vocal fold lesions. The study also explores how clear speech relates to vocal characteristics and patient-reported outcomes, as well as the connection between overall voice improvement and the use of clear speech. The study compares two approaches to voice therapy: a traditional hierarchical method and a new non-hierarchical Conversation Training Therapy (CTT). The hierarchical method involves four weekly sessions starting with simple sounds and progressing to full conversations, requiring mastery of each step before moving on. The non-hierarchical method also has four weekly sessions but introduces techniques like clear speech, awareness training, and embedded gestures in a flexible order, supported by daily practice using a mobile app. Participants will attend therapy sessions and follow-up visits over a year, during which voice outcomes are measured through questionnaires, acoustic tests, and laryngeal imaging at multiple time points. Researchers will track changes in voice handicap scores, vowel sounds, voice severity, vocal fold function, airflow, and adherence to therapy. The study aims to understand how these therapy methods affect voice quality and communication over time.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Deconstructing Voice Therapy: Towards Enhanced Communication Outcomes
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Non-smoking
- Diagnosis of primary muscle tension dysphonia (hyperadducted type) or benign vocal fold lesions
- No neuro-laryngologic or age-related vocal fold changes
- No voice therapy or voice surgery in the last year
- No serious chronic medical conditions affecting voice
- Normal hearing as determined by pure tone audiometry
- Suitable for behavioral voice intervention as determined by specialists
- Willing to attend all therapy and follow-up sessions
- Willing to use a smartphone to record practice
You will not qualify if you...
- History of voice therapy or voice surgery in the last year
- Serious chronic medical condition affecting voice
- Abnormal hearing despite amplification
- Other laryngeal disorders not due to primary MTD or benign lesions
- Not suitable for behavioral voice intervention as determined by specialists
- Unwilling to attend therapy and follow-up sessions
- Unwilling to use a smartphone to record practice
- Pregnant women
- Prisoners
- Cognitive impairment or impaired decision-making capacity
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 4 weeks
Participants receive behavioral voice therapy using either a hierarchical or non-hierarchical Conversation Training Therapy method. Therapy consists of four weekly sessions focused on improving voice use, with daily practice using a mobile app.
4 weekly visits (in-person) plus daily at-home practice
Duration - Up to 12 months post treatment
Participants are monitored for voice improvements and therapy adherence at multiple points after treatment to assess long-term outcomes.
Visits at 1 week, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months post treatment
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Emory Voice Center at Emory University Hospital Midtown
Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30308
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
A
Amanda Gillespie, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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