Straw Phonation Exercises for Voice Disorders

(SOVT Trial)

Overseen By Lynn Maxfield, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Utah

Disqualifiers: Head/neck cancer, Laryngeal surgery, Cognitive limitations, Gastrointestinal disease, Neurological abnormalities, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 1 session

120 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Straw Phonation Exercise Program for voice disorders?

Research shows that straw phonation exercises can improve voice quality and prevent voice problems in people who use their voice a lot, like customer service staff. It has also been effective as a warm-up exercise for speech professionals and in addressing age-related voice issues. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is straw phonation safe for humans?

Research on straw phonation exercises, including studies on healthy adults and those with voice issues, has not reported any safety concerns, suggesting it is generally safe for humans. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How is the Straw Phonation Exercise Program treatment different from other treatments for voice disorders?

The Straw Phonation Exercise Program is unique because it involves semi-occluded vocal tract exercises, where the voice is produced through a straw, which helps improve voice quality by reducing vocal strain and enhancing vocal fold vibration. Unlike other treatments, it can be used as a warm-up exercise and is effective in both preventing and treating voice problems, making it versatile for various voice-related conditions. ^{1 2 3 5 6}

What is the purpose of this trial?

To investigate the change in fundamental frequency range and vocal fold stability achievable with vocal fold stretching exercise in human populations with high and low vocal activity

Research Team

Lynn Maxfield, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Utah

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults over 18 without current voice disorders or professional vocal training. It's not for those with a history of laryngeal surgery, ongoing voice issues needing medical treatment, neurological or structural vocal fold problems, cognitive limitations impacting study participation, allergies to certain anesthetics, gastrointestinal/cardiac conditions, recent smokers (within six months), or past head/neck cancer.

Inclusion Criteria

I do not have any voice disorders.

You have not had any training for singing or public speaking.

Exclusion Criteria

My vocal cords do not have any known issues.

I have heart problems.

I do not have cognitive issues that would stop me from safely joining the study.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo one session of voice habilitation via a straw phonation exercise protocol

1 session

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in voice range profile and vocal fold stability

3 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Straw Phonation Exercise Program

Trial Overview The study tests whether straw phonation exercises can help extend the range of pitch and stabilize vocal folds in people who use their voices differently. Participants will perform these exercises to see if there are measurable improvements in their voices.

Participant Groups

Group I: Straw Phonation Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will undergo one session of voice habilitation via a straw phonation exercise protocol. This protocol has been extensively studied and validated in the largest randomized clinical trial in voice therapy by our team.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Utah

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,169

Recruited

1,623,000+

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

Collaborator

Trials

377

Recruited

190,000+

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of Immediate Effects of Straw Phonation Exercise and Determination of the Ideal Performance Time in Healthy Adults. [2023]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Voice Outcomes of Straw Phonation Exercises for Telephone Customer Service Staff. [2023]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Can Straw Phonation Be Considered As Vocal Warm Up Among Speech Language Pathologists? [2022]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Straw Phonation Through Tubes of Varied Lengths on Sustained Vowels in Normal-Voiced Participants. [2018]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A 4-Week Straw Phonation in Water Exercise Program for Aging-Related Vocal Fold Atrophy. [2023]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Varying Lengths and Diameters During Straw Phonation on an Excised Canine Model. [2022]