Voice Therapy for Age-Related Hoarseness

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

220 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The objectives for this research are to determine the mechanisms by which specific therapy tasks improve voice in age-related dysphonia, and the conditions that limit the extent of improvement. The central hypothesis is that targeted therapy tasks will improve voice, and that severity will determine the extent of improvement.

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 Voice Therapy for Age-Related Hoarseness?

Research suggests that intensive voice therapy, like the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT), can be effective for improving voice issues related to age, especially when traditional methods are not successful. Additionally, voice therapy is often recommended as a first-line treatment for various benign voice disorders, indicating its potential usefulness for age-related hoarseness. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is voice therapy safe for treating age-related hoarseness?

Voice therapy, including methods like telepractice and conventional therapy, has been studied in elderly patients with voice disorders and shown to be safe, with no significant safety concerns reported in the studies. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

How does the Voice Therapy for Age-Related Hoarseness treatment differ from other treatments?

This voice therapy is unique because it focuses on specific techniques like glottal closure and semiocclusion to improve vocal function, which are not typically addressed by traditional voice therapy or surgery. It targets the underlying issues of vocal fold atrophy and glottal gaps, which are common in age-related hoarseness, offering a more tailored approach compared to general voice therapy. ^{1 3 6 10 11}

Research Team

Robin A Samlan, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

University of Arizona

Eligibility Criteria

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 am an adult who has agreed to participate.

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

Can understand and complete directions presented in English

Timeline

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

Treatment Details

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.

Participant Groups

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+

Findings from Research

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]

References

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

Efficacy of intensive phonatory-respiratory treatment (LSVT) for presbyphonia: two case reports. [2013]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Independent exercise for glottal incompetence to improve vocal problems and prevent aspiration pneumonia in the elderly: a randomized controlled trial. [2018]

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

Factors associated with voice therapy outcomes in the treatment of presbyphonia. [2010]

4. Singapore pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Multi-dimensional investigation of the clinical effectiveness and prognostic factors of voice therapy for benign voice disorders. [2021]

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

Patient factors related to voice therapy attendance and outcomes. [2019]

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

Voice Therapy for Benign Voice Disorders in the Elderly: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Telepractice and Conventional Face-to-Face Therapy. [2021]

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

Three treatments for teachers with voice disorders: a randomized clinical trial. [2022]

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

Does Voice Therapy Improve Vocal Outcomes in Vocal Fold Atrophy? [2023]

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

Treatment of dysphonia in older people: the role of the speech therapist. [2014]

10. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The ageing voice and voice therapy in geriatrics. [2018]

11. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Vocal Changes and Laryngeal Modifications in the Elderly (Presbyphonia and Presbylarynx)]. [2019]