Impact of Age-Related Voice Change on Social Interaction
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores how changes in voice due to aging, known as presbyphonia, affect social interactions and feelings of loneliness or depression in older adults. Researchers will use questionnaires, voice assessments, and interviews to understand the impact of voice disorders and determine if voice therapy can enhance quality of life. The treatment involves a specific voice therapy program called PhoRTE, where participants perform vocal exercises to strengthen their voice muscles. Individuals diagnosed with presbyphonia and mild hearing loss, but without recent pneumonia or voice-related neurological issues, might be suitable for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding and improving quality of life for older adults with voice changes.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.
What prior data suggests that the PhoRTE Program is safe for treating presbyphonia?
Research has shown that the PhoRTE voice therapy program is generally safe and well-tolerated for older adults with age-related voice issues. This therapy involves vocal exercises and improves voice quality without causing significant side effects. Participants typically perform these exercises at home and with a speech therapist, focusing on strengthening their voices.
Although studies have not reported any major side effects, individual experiences may vary. Evidence so far suggests that the PhoRTE program is a safe option for addressing age-related voice changes.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
The PhoRTE Program is unique because it specifically targets the muscular deficits in the vocal mechanism that occur with aging, a condition known as presbyphonia. Unlike traditional treatments, which might involve general voice therapy or surgery, PhoRTE uses targeted vocal exercises to increase the workload on the respiratory and laryngeal muscles. This approach is exciting because it offers a non-invasive method to potentially restore voice strength and quality by focusing on the underlying muscular changes, allowing for personalized intensity levels tailored to each participant's needs.
What evidence suggests that the PhoRTE Program is effective for presbyphonia?
Research has shown that the PhoRTE (Phonation Resistance Training Exercises) Program, which participants in this trial will undergo, can effectively improve voice quality in older adults with presbyphonia, a voice disorder caused by aging. Studies have found that participants in PhoRTE experienced significant improvements in their voice-related quality of life. Specifically, they achieved better scores on the Voice Handicap Index, which measures how much a voice disorder affects daily activities. The exercises in PhoRTE strengthen the muscles used for speaking, addressing the changes in the voice box that come with age. These improvements suggest that PhoRTE may help reduce the social impact of voice changes in older adults.45678
Who Is on the Research Team?
Matthew R Hoffman, MD, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of Iowa
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for older adults with presbyphonia, a voice disorder due to age-related changes in the larynx. Participants must have vocal fold atrophy but normal motion, be able to complete questionnaires and voice tasks, and have normal to mild hearing loss when using hearing aids.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Baseline Assessment
Participants complete questionnaires and voice assessments to establish baseline measures
PhoRTE Voice Therapy
Participants undergo PhoRTE voice therapy, practicing vocal exercises at home and meeting with a speech pathologist weekly
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in loneliness, social disconnectedness, and depression after therapy
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- PhoRTE Program
Trial Overview
The study examines if presbyphonia affects social interaction. It involves completing various scales like the Edmonton Frail Scale and UCLA Loneliness Scale, undergoing laryngoscopy, participating in the PhoRTE Program for voice therapy, and other assessments of voice quality.
How Is the Trial Designed?
1
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
PhoRTE is a voice therapy program administered by a speech language pathologist for participants with presbyphonia. During sessions, participants perform five vocal exercises at individualized target vocal intensity. Goals of therapy are to increase muscular workload on vocal mechanism and target the respiratory and laryngeal muscular deficits that result from aging. Participants practice 6 days per week at home and meet with speech pathologist weekly for 4 weeks.
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Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Matthew R. Hoffman
Lead Sponsor
Citations
Preliminary data on two voice therapy interventions in the ...
Results: Preliminary data revealed VFE and PhoRTE groups demonstrated a significant improvement in V-RQOL scores. However, only PhoRTE demonstrated a ...
Phonation Resistance Training (PhoRTE) With And Without ...
The aim of this study is to compare a voice therapy program developed specifically for patients diagnosed with presbyphonia, Phonation Resistant Training ...
Phonation Resistance Training Exercises (PhoRTE) With ...
The primary outcome was change in Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10). Secondary outcomes included the Aging Voice Index, maximum expiratory pressure, and acoustic ...
Research
This grant supports innovative research that explores the effectiveness and benefits of PhoRTE® in managing voice, motor speech, and swallowing disorders.
Preliminary_data_on_two_voice...
Conclusions: Findings provide new evidence regarding the efficacy of voice therapy exercises in the treatment of age- related dysphonia and suggest PhoRTE ...
PhoRTE® Therapy Efficacy: In-Person Versus Telehealth
This study compares how well voice therapy works when delivered in-person versus through telehealth for older adults with age-related voice problems.
Reframing Aging Voice and Presbyphonia: What Else Can ...
A study comparing the PhoRTE, VFE, and control groups found improved voice-related quality of life in the PhoRTE and VFE groups and decreased ...
PhoRTE Voice Therapy: Home
PhoRTE is voice therapy for age-related voice changes using high intensity vocal exercise, with limited sessions and 12-15 minutes of home practice.
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