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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how a specific voice exercise, the Straw Phonation Exercise Program, can improve voice range and stability. The researchers aim to understand its effects on individuals with different levels of vocal activity, from frequent speakers to those who speak less. Ideal participants are adults without a current voice disorder and without professional vocal training experience.

As an unphased study, this trial allows participants to contribute to foundational research that could enhance future voice therapy techniques.

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 prior data suggests that the Straw Phonation Exercise Program is safe for voice disorders?

Research shows that straw phonation exercises are generally safe to try. Past studies found that these exercises improve voice quality and reduce vocal fatigue. Participants in those studies noticed improvements without serious side effects, suggesting that the exercises are well-tolerated.

Some studies have examined various aspects of straw phonation, such as its effects on the vocal cords and voice quality. Results consistently show positive outcomes with no major negative effects reported. This safety record is encouraging for anyone considering joining a trial involving these exercises. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike traditional voice disorder treatments that often rely on medication or surgical interventions, straw phonation exercises offer a non-invasive and straightforward technique to improve voice quality. This method involves using a straw to produce sound, which helps reduce vocal cord strain and promotes healthier voice production. Researchers are excited about this approach because it can be easily practiced at home, potentially making voice therapy more accessible and cost-effective for a wider range of individuals. Additionally, this exercise has already shown promise in improving voice function during preliminary studies, which has sparked interest in its potential to become a new standard in voice therapy.

What evidence suggests that the Straw Phonation Exercise Program is effective for voice disorders?

Research shows that straw phonation exercises, which participants in this trial will undergo, can help improve voice problems. Studies have found that these exercises significantly reduce issues like voice fatigue and speaking pitch. One study reported that patients noticed better vocal quality and stability. Even for people with vocal fold atrophy, meaning weakened vocal cords, straw phonation led to noticeable voice improvements. Overall, these exercises help people speak more clearly and with less effort. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Lynn Maxfield, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Utah

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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 for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Citations

1. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0892199724003011

Efficacy of Long-Term Intensive Straw Phonation Exercise ... Significant reduction in ASP, CQR, AVQI, CAPE-V-K, and VHI-K measures from pre-therapy to post-therapy and follow-up timelines was observed.

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0892199723000206

Voice Outcomes of Straw Phonation Exercises for ... The results of this study showed that straw phonation exercises can establish appropriate speaking pitch and improve voice fatigue.

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9969873/

Voice Therapy in Vocal Fold Atrophy Only 29% of patients with vocal atrophy completed voice therapy when recommended. Within this patient cohort, voice therapy results in significant improvement.

4. pubs.asha.org pubs.asha.org/doi/abs/10.1044/2023_JSLHR-23-00071

A 4-Week Straw Phonation in Water Exercise Program for ... This study evaluated the efficacy of a 4-week straw phonation in water (SPW) exercise program on aging-related vocal fold atrophy (VFA).

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6541208/

Effects of a simulated system of straw phonation on the ... At different levels of vocal fold elongation, straw phonation not only lowered the onset of normal voice, but also elevated the onset of chaotic voice, ...

6. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31971264/

The Therapeutic Effects of Straw Phonation on Vocal Fatigue Results: Increased PTP, EFFT, and DISC were observed after vocal load. Decreased PTP, EFFT, and DISC were then acquired after both vocal rest or straw phonation ...

7. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05357222

Straw Phonation Exercise Program for Pitch Extension The result is a weak voice because airflow cannot be suddenly shut off for efficient acoustic excitation of the vocal tract. For self-sustained vocal fold ...

8. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0892199725001286

Efficacy of a Tesla Valve Straw in a Semi-Occluded Vocal ... This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Tesla valve straw compared to a standard straw and assess the impact of straw length on phonation ...

9. karger.com karger.com/fpl/article/76/5/467/893297/Immediate-Effects-of-Semi-Occluded-Vocal-Tract

Immediate Effects of Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract Exercises ... Straw phonation provided consistently significant acoustic results, with nearly every variable improving to some degree. Results also support ...