Actively Recruiting
Towards a Unified System to Classify Treatments for Muscle Tension Dysphonia
Led by Massachusetts General Hospital · Updated on 2026-05-26
600
Participants Needed
5
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
M
Massachusetts General Hospital
Lead Sponsor
E
Emory University
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating whether using the Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System - Voice Therapy (RTSS-Voice) to document voice therapy sessions can improve outcomes for patients with muscle tension dysphonia (MTD). The study compares patient outcomes between clinicians' first and second years of using RTSS-Voice across five voice centers. The study aims to see if adopting RTSS-Voice, which encourages evidence-based practice and improved clinical reasoning, leads to better voice therapy results. Participants will receive standard voice therapy tailored to individual needs, including techniques like applying pressure to the neck, practicing different voicing methods, receiving performance feedback, and learning about therapy concepts. One group involves clinicians new to RTSS-Voice documentation, while the other involves clinicians experienced with RTSS-Voice. Each group includes about 300 patients treated over two years across the centers. Participants will have their voice-related outcomes measured before and immediately after therapy using various tools such as the Voice Health Index, Voice-Related Quality of Life, Consensus Auditory Perceptual Evaluation of Voice, GRBAS Scale, and Cepstral Peak Prominence. The study collects patient and clinician reports and tracks the total number of therapy sessions. Researchers will analyze changes within and across sites to assess the effect of RTSS-Voice adoption on voice health.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Voice Therapy Per the Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Diagnosis of primary Muscle Tension Dysphonia (pMTD)
- Inclusion of all pMTD subtypes, such as functional aphonia, vocal fry, and ventricular dysphonia
- Patients may have secondary diagnoses of reflux
- Participants aged 14 years or older
You will not qualify if you...
- Secondary diagnoses related to structural, neurological, or respiratory disorders such as laryngitis, vocal fold nodules, polyps, cysts, granuloma, sulci, paradoxical vocal fold motion, chronic cough, upper airway paralysis or paresis, dysphagia, polypoid corditis, keratosis, presbylarynx, leukoplakia
- History of radiation to the head or neck
- Non-English speakers due to the RTSS-Voice system language
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 - Duration varies with therapy sessions until completion
Participants receive standard of care voice therapy tailored to their needs, with clinicians trained in or experienced with RTSS-Voice documentation.
Number of therapy sessions varies per participant
Duration - Immediately after therapy
Participants complete assessments immediately after therapy to evaluate voice function and quality.
1 visit (in-person)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 5 locations
1
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30322
Actively Recruiting
2
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02114
Actively Recruiting
3
New York University
New York, New York, United States, 10017
Actively Recruiting
4
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, 84132
Actively Recruiting
5
University of Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin, United States, 53792
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
J
Jarrad Van Stan, PhD, CCC-SLP
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Model
SEQUENTIAL
Primary Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Number of Arms
2
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