Voice Therapy for Age-Related Hoarseness

Not currently recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Natalie Monahan, M.S.

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Arizona

Disqualifiers: Vocal fold paralysis, lesions, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 3 years

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how different voice therapy techniques can improve hoarseness caused by aging. The focus is on identifying the most effective therapy tasks and understanding their limitations. Participants will engage in various methods, such as exercises to improve vocal cord closure and breathing techniques. Individuals who have noticed increased hoarseness with age and can follow instructions in English may find this trial suitable. As an unphased study, this trial offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative therapies that could enhance vocal health.

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 prior data suggests that these voice therapy techniques are safe for age-related hoarseness?

Research has shown that voice therapy is generally safe and well-tolerated for treating age-related voice issues. Studies have found that 85% of patients experience improvement with various types of voice therapy, such as techniques that help the vocal cords close better. These treatments can enhance voice quality without significant risks.

For therapies that aim to increase loudness, some reports mention vocal strain as a side effect. One study noted more cases of vocal strain in a group using a specific loudness technique. However, these instances were not serious and are a normal part of the therapy process.

Research also supports the effectiveness of voice therapy that focuses on breathing techniques. This type of therapy helps improve voice by aiding breathing without significant side effects.

Overall, voice therapy for age-related hoarseness appears to be a safe option with minor and manageable side effects. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Most treatments for age-related hoarseness rely on medication or surgery to address the condition. However, voice therapy is unique because it focuses on improving vocal function through specific exercises that target different aspects of voice production. Researchers are excited about these treatments because they offer a non-invasive alternative that can enhance vocal quality by strengthening the muscles involved in speech. This approach not only aims to improve glottal closure and loudness but also enhances respiratory support and uses semi-occlusion techniques, which can be more sustainable and adaptable for individuals over time.

What evidence suggests that these voice therapy treatments could be effective for age-related hoarseness?

Research has shown that voice therapy can improve voice quality in people with age-related hoarseness, known as presbyphonia. In this trial, participants will undergo various voice therapy techniques. Studies have found that exercises to improve vocal cord closure can significantly enhance voice quality. Similarly, speaking loudly can boost muscle activity in the voice box, leading to better voice outcomes. Breathing exercises that focus on breath control have also improved voice quality. Lastly, techniques that partially open the vocal tract can enhance voice by altering sound movement through the throat. Overall, these targeted exercises show promise in helping older adults regain a stronger and clearer voice. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Robin A Samlan, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

University of Arizona

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults who are experiencing voice problems due to aging, such as hoarseness or difficulty speaking clearly. Participants must understand English and be willing to follow instructions. Those with mild swelling, redness in the throat, or signs of reflux affecting the voice box may join.

Inclusion Criteria

I have a voice disorder due to aging, such as voice changes or throat issues.

I am an adult who has agreed to participate.

Can understand and complete directions presented in English

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo specific therapy tasks aimed at improving voice in age-related dysphonia

3 years

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Voice therapy: glottal closure
• Voice therapy: loud
• Voice therapy: respiratory
• Voice therapy: Semiocclusion

Trial Overview The study tests different types of voice therapy aimed at improving speech clarity in older adults. These therapies include exercises that partially block airflow during speech, breathing techniques, methods to improve vocal cord closure, and exercises to increase loudness.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Participants Experimental Treatment 4 Interventions

All participants will undergo each treatment.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Arizona

Lead Sponsor

Trials

545

Recruited

161,000+

Mayo Clinic

Collaborator

Trials

3,427

Recruited

3,221,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Voice therapy is an effective first-line treatment for benign voice disorders such as vocal nodules, polyps, and muscle tension dysphonia, with significant improvements in voice quality and patient-reported outcomes after treatment.

Adherence to voice therapy sessions and the level of vocal demand in a patient's occupation are important factors that influence treatment success, with higher adherence and greater vocal demand leading to better outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Multi-dimensional investigation of the clinical effectiveness and prognostic factors of voice therapy for benign voice disorders. Lin, FC., Chien, HY., Kao, YC., et al.[2021]

In a study of 91 elderly patients (ages 50-91) with voice complaints, vocal nodules were the most common diagnosis, highlighting the prevalence of this condition in geriatric dysphonia.

The study found that 80% of patients received hygienic voice therapy, indicating its common use, but further research is needed to establish normative voice measures for older adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The ageing voice and voice therapy in geriatrics. Çiyiltepe, M., Şenkal, ÖA.[2018]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11228133/

A Systematic Review of Speech-Language Pathology ... This systematic review seeks to identify how voice therapy affects multidimensional voice outcomes in people with presbyphonia.

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0892199724000109

Evidence of Long-Term Voice Therapy Effectiveness in ... For those non-compliant, 88% reported better voices, 0% stable, and 12% worse. Most non-compliant participants (43%) reported lack of time as ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11235395/

Assessing the Effectiveness of Voice Therapy Techniques in ... These findings suggest that physiologic voice therapy based on semi-occluded vocal tract exercises effectively enhances voice outcomes in ...

4. journals.sagepub.com journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0003489420952464

Does Voice Therapy Improve Vocal Outcomes in ... Within this patient cohort, voice therapy results in significant improvement in multidimensional voice outcomes. Patients with vocal atrophy ...

5. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/6726379_Voice_Therapy_Improves_Quality_of_Life_in_Age-Related_Dysphonia_A_Case-Control_Study

Voice Therapy Improves Quality of Life in Age-Related ... The 19 cases experienced a mean improvement in VRQOL score of 19.21 (2-tailed matched pairs t test P=0.00038) after a mean of 4.1 voice therapy ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10473393/

Examining Therapy Duration in Adults With Voice Disorders This study examined the number of voice therapy sessions and the number of weeks in treatment to achieve desired voice outcomes in adults with voice disorders.

7. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20513037/

Factors associated with voice therapy outcomes in the ... Results: Sixty-seven patients were included in the study. Of the patients, 85% demonstrated improvement with voice therapy. The most common type of glottic ...

8. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/316327908_Voice_Therapy_for_the_Elderly

Voice Therapy for the Elderly | Request PDF These samples were evaluated by 19 speech and voice therapy students according to the degree of roughness, breathiness and hoarseness. Data were subjected to ...

9. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0892199714002975

Comparison Between Vocal Function Exercises and Voice ... One case of dysphonia aggravation can be prevented in every three patients with behavioral dysphonia engaged in VFE, and one case in every five patients using ...

10. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/369200716_Treatments_for_Age-related_Vocal_Atrophy_A_Systematic_Review

(PDF) Treatments for Age‐related Vocal Atrophy Results Noninvasive treatments (observation/voice therapy) were marginally associated with no glottal gap (p = .09). More invasive treatments ( ...