Testing Ambulatory Voice Biofeedback to Improve Therapy for Vocal Hyperfunction A Study Comparing Voice Therapy With and Without Daily Life Biofeedback

What this Trial Is About

This research investigates vocal hyperfunction VH, a common voice disorder treated by speech-language pathologists using voice therapy. The study aims to evaluate whether adding Ambulatory Voice Monitoring with Biofeedback AVM-B to standard Conversation Training Therapy CTT helps patients better apply improved voice techniques in daily life. It also explores how patient-specific factors like voice modification ability and therapy engagement influence treatment effects. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either CTT alone or CTT combined with AVM-B. CTT consists of weekly 1-hour sessions for 4 weeks focusing on improving voice quality and generalization. AVM-B involves using a device with a neck accelerometer to provide feedback during daily voice use, delivered starting from the second therapy session and continuing for 5 days between sessions. During the study, participants will undergo assessments before therapy, immediately after therapy, and six months later. These include voice generalization measures, stimulability testing, voice quality evaluations, and quality of life questionnaires. Researchers will monitor therapy adherence and engagement to understand their impact on treatment outcomes. The total study duration spans from initial assessment through six-month follow-up after therapy completion.

Project 4: Ambulatory Biofeedback and Voice Therapy for Patients With Vocal Hyperfunction