Effects of Ambulatory Biofeedback Added to Conversation Training Therapy for Vocal Hyperfunction

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying vocal hyperfunction (VH), a common voice disorder treated by speech-language pathologists, to improve how patients generalize better voice use from therapy sessions into everyday life. The study evaluates if adding Ambulatory Voice Monitoring with Biofeedback (AVM-B) to standard voice therapy helps patients apply improved vocal behaviors outside therapy. This early-phase clinical trial also explores how patient factors like voice change ability and therapy engagement influence treatment effects. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: one receiving Conversation Training Therapy (CTT) alone, and the other receiving CTT combined with AVM-B. CTT involves weekly 45-minute voice therapy sessions over four weeks aimed at improving vocal function. The AVM-B device uses a neck sensor to monitor voice use in daily life and provides biofeedback cues and summaries to encourage better vocal habits. AVM-B is used starting in the second therapy session and continues for five days between the second and third sessions. During the trial, participants will be assessed before therapy, immediately after, and six months later using voice-related measures including generalization of improved voicing, stimulability, treatment intensity, auditory perceptual evaluation, and voice-related quality of life. Researchers will monitor how voice therapy combined with AVM-B affects daily voice use and quality of life over time. The study aims to last several months with follow-up to evaluate sustained benefits and individual differences in therapy response.

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