Online Voice Education + Vocal Hygiene for Hoarseness

Overseen By Efstratios Achlatis

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: NYU Langone Health

Disqualifiers: Parkinson's, ALS, Hearing loss, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 8-10 weeks

40 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of incorporating educational online modules into voice therapy. One of the main reasons that voice therapy fails is lack of participation and engagement from the patient's side. The researchers hope to learn if increasing patient engagement via educational online modules during this waiting period between evaluation and first therapy session is useful in increasing understanding of the therapeutic framework of voice therapy.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

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

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Online Voice Education + Vocal Hygiene for Hoarseness?

Research shows that vocal hygiene education can improve voice quality over time, as seen in a study where students who received vocal hygiene education and voice training had significant improvements in their voice quality. Additionally, educational modules have been developed to improve vocal wellness, suggesting that structured learning can positively impact voice health. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is online voice education and vocal hygiene safe for humans?

Research on vocal hygiene education and voice training, including for teachers and singers, shows no reported safety concerns. These programs are generally considered safe and beneficial for improving vocal habits and reducing voice problems. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

How does the Online Voice Education + Vocal Hygiene treatment for hoarseness differ from other treatments?

This treatment is unique because it combines online voice education with vocal hygiene practices, focusing on educating patients about voice anatomy and healthy voice habits. Unlike traditional treatments that may involve medication or surgery, this approach emphasizes prevention and self-care through accessible online resources and education. ^{2 4 8 9 10}

Research Team

Aaron Johnson, MD

Principal Investigator

NYU Langone Health

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for English-speaking adults over 18 with hoarseness (dysphonia) who are recommended voice therapy. They must have internet access and be willing to complete all assessments. It's not for those with certain neurological conditions, moderate-to-profound hearing loss, visual impairments that prevent online module completion, or previous voice quality rating training.

Inclusion Criteria

Willingness to complete all clinical/research assessments

I have been diagnosed with voice disorders and advised to undergo voice therapy.

I am older than 18 years.

Exclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease or another progressive neurodegenerative disorder.

Previous training in acoustic-perceptual voice quality rating, for example a speech language pathology student

I will have surgery as part of my treatment plan.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Pre-Treatment

Participants complete an online module focusing on patient self-rating of vocal quality within 24 hours of evaluation and approximately 1-2 weeks prior to their first therapy session

1-2 weeks

Online module completion

Treatment

Participants undergo voice therapy sessions, with online module completion within 24 hours after each session

8-10 weeks

Multiple therapy sessions (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in voice handicap perception and therapy effectiveness

Up to 4 months from baseline

Final assessment visit

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Online Voice quality education module
• Vocal hygiene module

Trial Overview The study tests if adding educational online modules about voice quality and vocal hygiene can improve patient engagement in voice therapy. The goal is to see if this approach helps patients better understand their treatment plan and potentially leads to better attendance and outcomes in therapy.

Participant Groups

Group I: Experimental Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will complete an online module with content focusing on patient self-rating of vocal quality within 24 hours of evaluation, approximately 1-2 weeks prior to their first therapy session, and within 24 hours after each therapy session;

Group II: Control group Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will not complete an online module. The groups will be compared in terms of attendance, self-efficacy, and treatment outcome measures based on the data collected within the NYU Voice Center standard of care

Group III: Sham Control Group Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Participants will complete an online module within 24 hours of evaluation, approximately 1-2 weeks prior to their first therapy session, and within 24 hours after each therapy session with content focusing on vocal hygiene.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

NYU Langone Health

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,431

Recruited

838,000+

Findings from Research

Patient-based outcome measures, like quality-of-life and handicap indexes, are crucial for assessing initial disability and treatment responses in patients with voice disorders, as traditional methods have limitations.

This review emphasizes the importance of these measures in laryngology and provides detailed discussions on various voice-specific instruments to help otolaryngologists improve patient care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A review of outcome measurements for voice disorders. Hogikyan, ND., Rosen, CA.[2019]

References

1. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Training outcome in future professional voice users after 18 months of voice training. [2015]

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

Developing Educational Health Modules to Improve Vocal Wellness in Mask-Wearing Occupational Voice Users. [2023]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of vocal hygiene education for patients with vocal polyp. [2016]

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

The effects of preventive vocal hygiene education on the vocal hygiene habits and perceptual vocal characteristics of training singers. [2019]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A review of outcome measurements for voice disorders. [2019]

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

The effectiveness of a voice treatment approach for teachers with self-reported voice problems. [2022]

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

Vocal problems among teachers: evaluation of a preventive voice program. [2019]

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

Quality and Readability of English-Language Internet Information for Voice Disorders. [2019]

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

The Effect of Vocal Hygiene Training Via Videoconference in Teachers' Voices. [2022]

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

Vocal education for the professional voice user and singer. [2019]