Volitional and Non-volitional Devices Used in Voice Therapy and Training: A Scoping Review-Part A.

OBJECTIVE: To map the volitional and non-volitional devices used by speech and language pathologists (SLPs) in voice training and therapy and characterize their use in research on voice interventions. METHODS: This scoping review is the first part of a larger study. The electronic search was carried out by mapping the references in PubMed/Medline, LILACS/BVS, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library, and the manual search was carried out in the grey literature. Two blind independent reviewers selected and extracted data; divergences were solved by consensus. The data extracted in this part of the study were the authorship and year of publication, country, study design, sample characteristics, intervention modality, ingredient, target, mechanism of action, dosage, and outcome measures. They were addressed with descriptive analysis. RESULTS: Publications that use devices as ingredients are mostly from the last two decades, mainly carried out in the United States of America and Brazil, in adults of both sexes with behavioral dysphonia. Forty-two types of devices were used, many of them with similar approaches but different nomenclatures. Most devices were used voluntarily, focusing on vocal function, and aiming to increase source and filter interaction. Most studies used silicone tubes. The most reported technical specification to apply the ingredient was surface electrodes on the neck. Device dosage was time-controlled, and the most used outcomes were self-assessment and acoustic analysis. CONCLUSION: Devices are currently used as ingredients in vocal interventions, with a greater focus on increasing the source and filter interaction, associated with silicone tubes (the most used devices in these studies), which have been dosed with performance time. Outcomes were measured with self-assessment instruments.

Internal Consistency of the Voice Handicap Index in Individuals With Dysphonia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the internal consistency of the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) for evaluating the vocal handicap of individuals with dysphonia. METHODS: This is a systematic review. Studies with a cross-sectional design and including a population of individuals with dysphonia, which validated the VHI and analyzed its internal consistency, were included. The following electronic databases were searched: Cochrane Library, EMBASE, LILACS, and PubMed, including Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science. A manual search was performed in gray literature through the Biblioteca Digital Brasileira de Teses e Dissertações and ProQuest Dissertation & Theses. In addition, the list of references of studies selected in the electronic search was mapped, and an expert in the area was consulted. Two reviewers blindly and independently conducted the selection, data extraction, and analysis of the risk of bias, the certainty of the evidence, and good psychometric measures. A meta-analysis was performed with a random effects model using the JAMOVI 2.3.2 software. RESULTS: Forty-nine studies were analyzed. In risk of bias assessment, the studies were classified as having inadequate structural validity and very good internal consistency. The analysis of good psychometric properties indicated indeterminate structural validity and insufficient internal consistency. The overall value of Cronbach's alpha was estimated at 0.94, thus suggesting a very good internal consistency. However, there was high heterogeneity. The level of certainty of the evidence was too low for internal consistency. CONCLUSION: The VHI proved to be a consistent and reliable patient-reported outcome measure to evaluate voice handicap in individuals with dysphonia; however, studies are heterogeneous, and the certainty of evidence is very low.

Medidas de efeito das intervenções em vozes saudáveis: uma revisão de escopo / Measurements of the effect of interventions on heathly voices: a scope review

RESUMO Objetivo mapear as medidas de avaliação vocal utilizadas para verificar o efeito da intervenção em indivíduos vocalmente saudáveis. Estratégia de pesquisa trata-se de uma revisão de escopo baseada na questão de pesquisa: "Quais as medidas de avaliação vocal utilizadas para verificar o efeito da intervenção em indivíduos vocalmente saudáveis?" A busca foi realizada de forma eletrônica nas bases de dados MEDLINE (PubMed), LILACS (BVS), Scopus (Elsevier), Web of Science (Clarivate), Embase e Cochrane. Critérios de seleção a seleção dos estudos foi baseada na leitura dos títulos, resumos, palavras-chave e textos completos, aplicando-se os critérios de elegibilidade. Foram extraídos os dados relacionados às informações bibliográficas da publicação, características da amostra e da intervenção, os efeitos da intervenção nas medidas de autoavaliação, perceptivo-auditivas, acústicas, aerodinâmicas, eletroglotográficas, resultado do exame laríngeo, entre outros. Os dados foram resumidos e apresentados de forma quantitativa e descritiva. Resultados foram selecionados 97 artigos, entre os 979 estudos mapeados nesta revisão. A análise acústica foi a medida mais utilizada (n=70, 72,3%) para verificar os efeitos do treinamento vocal nos estudos selecionados, seguida pela eletroglotografia (n= 55, 56,7%), autoavaliação (n= 38, 39,2%), aerodinâmica (n= 33, 34,0%), julgamento perceptivo-auditivo (n= 22, 22,7%) e exame laríngeo (n= 16, 16,5%). Conclusão a análise acústica é a medida utilizada na maioria dos estudos para verificar o efeito da intervenção em indivíduos vocalmente saudáveis.

ABSTRACT Purpose to map the vocal assessment measures used to verify the effect of the intervention in vocally healthy individuals. Research strategy This is a scope review based on the research question: What vocal assessment measures are used to verify the effect of the intervention in vocally healthy individuals? The search was carried out electronically in MEDLINE (PubMed), LILACS (BVS), Scopus (Elsevier), Web of Science (Clarivate), Embase and Cochrane databases. Selection criteria The selection of studies was based on reading the titles, abstracts, keywords and full texts, applying the eligibility criteria. Data related to the publication's bibliographic information, sample and intervention characteristics, the effects of the intervention on self-assessment, auditory-perceptual, acoustic, aerodynamic, electroglottographic measures, laryngeal examination results, among others, were extracted. The data were summarized and presented in a quantitative and descriptive way. Results 97 articles were selected, among the 979 studies mapped in this review. Acoustic analysis was the most used measure (n=70, 72.3%) to verify the effects of vocal training in the selected studies, followed by electroglottography (n= 55, 56.7%), self-assessment (n= 38, 39 .2%), aerodynamics (n= 33, 34.0%), auditory-perceptual judgment (n= 22, 22.7%) and laryngeal examination (n= 16, 16.5%). Conclusion Acoustic analysis is the measure used in most studies to verify the effect of the intervention in vocally healthy individuals.

Autopercepção dos efeitos de um treinamento de comunicação oral em situações de fala em público: um estudo antes e após intervenção com locutores de uma rádio universitária / Self-perception of the effects of oral communication training in public speaking situations: a study before and after intervention with announcers of a university radio / Autopercepción de los efectos del entrenamiento en comunicación oral en situacionista de hablar en público: un estudio antes y después de la intervención con locutores de una radio universitária

Introdução: os treinamentos para o desenvolvimento da comunicação oral podem melhorar a auto percepção da fala e da voz, principalmente, em situações de fala em público. Objetivo: descrever a auto percepção dos efeitos de um treinamento para a comunicação oral dos locutores de uma rádio universitária em situações de fala em público. Método: este é um estudo antes e após intervenção. Foi aplicado o Programa de Desenvolvimento da Expressividade para Comunicação Oral em oito locutores durante oito encontros de duas horas de duração. O questionário de Auto avaliação das Habilidades de Voz e Fala em Diversos Contextos Comunicativos foi aplicado no primeiro e no último encontro. Resultados: a amostra constituiu-se, majoritariamente, por mulheres jovens, solteiras e estudantes, que trabalhavam por meio período durante três dias. As situações de fala em público que no início do treinamento ocorriam eventualmente passaram a ser mais frequentes. Houve redução nos sintomas de nervosismo, ansiedade, preocupação e confusão no conteúdo durante o discurso. A percepção de tremor e quebras na voz reduziram, e o sintoma de fala mais rápido aumentou. Houve relato prévio de que os interlocutores avaliavam a sua dicção variável com a situação, e ao final, afirmaram que era igual ao habitual. No término, segundo eles, as pessoas avaliavam a sua comunicação como boa. Conclusão: o treinamento resultou discretamente na auto percepção positiva para organização do discurso e nos sintomas de desvios vocais e alterações na fala dos locutores.

Introduction: training for the development of oral communication can improve self-perception of speech and voice, especially in public speaking situations. Objective: to describe the self-perception of the effects of oral communication training for university radio announcers in public speaking situations. Method: this is a before and after intervention study. The Expressiveness Development Program for Oral Communication was applied to eight speakers during eight two-hour meetings. The Self-Assessment of Voice and Speech Skills in Different Communicative Contexts questionnaire was applied in the first and last meeting. Results: the sample consisted mostly of young single women and students, who worked part-time for three days. The public speaking situations that occurred at the beginning of the training eventually became more frequent. There was a reduction in the symptoms of nervousness, anxiety, worry and confusion in the content during the speech. The perception of tremor and voice breaks reduced, and the symptom of faster speech increased. There was a previous report that the interlocutors evaluated their variable diction with the situation, and in the end, they stated that it was the same as usual. At the end, they said, people rated their communication as good. Conclusion: the training discreetly resulted in positive self-perception for speech organization and in symptoms of vocal deviations and changes in the speakers' speech.

Introducción: el entrenamiento para el desarrollo de la comunicación oral puede mejorar la autopercepción del habla y la voz, especialmente en situaciones de hablar en público. Objetivo: describir la autopercepción de los efectos del entrenamiento en comunicación oral para locutores universitarios de radio en situaciones de hablar en público. Método: este es un estudio de intervención antes y después. El Programa de Desarrollo de la Expresividad para la Comunicación Oral se aplicó a ocho ponentes durante ocho encuentros de dos horas. En la primera y última reunión se aplicó el cuestionario Self-Assessment of Voice and Speech Skills in Different Comunicative Contexts. Resultados: la muestra estuvo compuesta en su mayoría por mujeres jóvenes, solteras y estudiantes, que trabajaron a tiempo parcial durante tres días. Las situaciones de hablar en público que ocurrieron al comienzo de la capacitación eventualmente se hicieron más frecuentes. Hubo una reducción en los síntomas de nerviosismo, ansiedad, preocupación y confusión en el contenido durante el discurso. Se redujo la percepción de temblores y roturas de voz, y aumentó el síntoma de habla más rápida. Hubo un reporte previo de que los interlocutores evaluaron su dicción variable con la situación, y al final afirmaron que era la misma de siempre. Al final, dijeron, las personas calificaron su comunicación como buena. Conclusión: el entrenamiento resultó discretamente en una autopercepción positiva para la organización del habla y en síntomas de desviaciones vocales y alteraciones en el habla de los hablantes.

Mapping of the Execution of Resonance Tubes Phonation Immersed in Water Exercise in Adults: A Scoping Review.

OBJECTIVE: To map the execution of resonance tubes phonation immersed in water exercise in adults with healthy or altered voices. METHODS: This study was a scoping review. An electronic search was performed using the following databases: MEDLINE, LILACS, SCOPUS, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, gray literature, and a manual search. A blinded review was performed by two authors to determine the selection and extraction procedures. Studies with adult participants with dysphonic or healthy voices who underwent intervention with phonation in a resonance tube immersed in water in the context of the vocal clinic, with an experimental intervention, quasi-experimental, or before and after the intervention were included. Data from the publication, sample, execution, and results obtained from the exercises were extracted by two blinded reviewers. Disagreements were resolved through consensus. The analysis was performed quantitatively. RESULTS: A total of 44 publications were analyzed. Among these, Brazilian studies were the most frequent, with a publication peak in 2020. The characterization of the sample was variable, with a higher frequency of participants of both sexes who were not voice professionals. The most frequent studies were before and after exercise with a resonance tube immersed in water, in one session, with an exercise execution time of 3 minutes; in cases of more than one series of executions, the 30-sseconds rest time was more frequent. The most used resonance tube was a flexible silicone tube, with a wall thickness of 0.1 mm, immersion container in a 500-, 510-, or 600-mL bottle, 2/3 filled with water, and the resonance tube immersed 2 cm from the water surface. The most used phonatory task was flow phonation with rounded lips similar to the articulation of the vowel /u/. Acoustic analysis and vocal self-assessment are the most commonly used outcome measures. The best results were obtained in the self-assessment. CONCLUSION: There is significant variability in the information on the execution of resonance tubes phonation immersed in water exercise influenced by vocal diagnosis and experience with previous vocal training. Studies on the effects of this exercise have been concentrated over the last decade and are of the vocal training and therapy. Acoustic and self-assessment measures were used to verify the results, with self-assessment being the outcome that most frequently indicated positive results.

Efeitos perceptivo-auditivos de um treinamento de comunicação oral em locutores de uma rádio universitária / Auditory-perceptual effects of an oral communication training on university radio broadcasters / Efectos auditivo-perceptivos de un entrenamiento de comunicación oral en locutores de radio universitários

Introdução: os estudantes dos cursos de comunicação veem nas rádios universitárias a oportunidade do desenvolvimento das competências necessárias para o mercado de trabalho. Objetivo: descrever os efeitos perceptivo-auditivos de um treinamento de comunicação oral em locutores de uma rádio universitária. Método: aplicou-se o Programa de Desenvolvimento da Expressividade para Comunicação Oral em oito locutores. Ocorreram oito encontros de duas horas, cada. Coletou-se no primeiro e último encontro, o material para avaliação perceptivo-auditiva em que os participantes liam um texto informativo. As amostras foram aleatorizadas e dicotomizadas em Leitura A e Leitura B. Dois locutores tiveram as suas leituras duplicadas para análise da confiabilidade interna. Três fonoaudiólogas realizaram análise deste material sem conhecer o período ao qual elas pertenciam. Considerou-se apenas o julgamento daquela que mostrou maior coeficiência interna. Resultados: dos oito pares de leituras avaliados, seis foram considerados diferentes após o treinamento. Desses seis pares diferentes, quatro foram melhores após a intervenção. A associação da voz, fala e interpretação apontou-se como razão da escolha em três dessas leituras sendo a mudança mais evidente, a dicção. Os valores das notas das leituras após o treinamento mostraram-se superiores. As vozes com desvio leve tiveram uma discreta redução. A frequência vocal permaneceu inadequada, diferente dos demais recursos vocais que mostraram singela melhora: intensidade, velocidade de fala, pausas, modulação e ênfases. Conclusão: as notas das leituras, a qualidade vocal e alguns recursos vocais, exceto a frequência da fala, mostraram discreta evolução ao final do treinamento.

Introduction: students of communication courses see on university radio stations the opportunity to develop the skills needed for the job market. Objective: to describe the auditory-perceptual effects of an oral communication training on university radio announcers. Method: the Expressiveness Development Program for Oral Communication was applied to eight speakers. There were eight meetings with two hours each. In the first and last meeting, the material for auditory-perceptual evaluation was collected in which the participants read an informative text. The samples were randomized and dichotomized in Reading A and Reading B. Two speakers had their readings duplicated for the analysis of internal reliability. Three speech therapists performed analysis of this material without knowing the period to which they belonged. Only the judgment of the one that showed the highest internal coefficient was considered. Results: of the eight pairs of readings evaluated, six were considered different after training. Of these six different pairs, four were better after the intervention. The association of voice, speech and interpretation was pointed out as the reason for choosing three of these readings, the most evident change being diction. The values of the notes of the readings after the training showed to be superior. Voices with slight deviation had a slight reduction. The vocal frequency remained inadequate, unlike the other vocal resources that showed a slight improvement: intensity, speech rate, pauses, modulation and emphasis. Conclusion: the reading notes, the vocal quality and some vocal resources, except for the frequency of speech, showed a slight evolution at the end of the training.

Introducción: los estudiantes de los cursos de comunicación ven en las radios universitarias la oportunidad de desarrollar las habilidades necesarias para el mercado laboral. Objetivo: describir los efectos auditivo-perceptuales de una formación en comunicación oral en locutores de radio universitarios. Método: se aplicó el Programa de Desarrollo de la Expresividad para la Comunicación Oral a ocho hablantes. Hubo ocho reuniones de dos horas cada una. En el primer y último encuentro se recogió el material para la evaluación auditivo-perceptual en el que los participantes leyeron un texto informativo. Las muestras fueron aleatorizadas y dicotomizadas en Lectura A y Lectura B. Se duplicaron las lecturas de dos hablantes para el análisis de confiabilidad interna. Tres logopedas realizaron análisis de este material sin conocer el período al que pertenecían. Solo se consideró el juicio del que presentó mayor coeficiente interno. Resultados: de los ocho pares de lecturas evaluadas, seis se consideraron diferentes después del entrenamiento. De estos seis pares diferentes, cuatro fueron mejores después de la intervención. La asociación de voz, habla e interpretación fue señalada como la razón para elegir tres de estas lecturas, siendo el cambio más evidente la dicción. Los valores de las notas de las lecturas posteriores al entrenamiento mostraron ser superiores. Las voces con ligera desviación tuvieron una ligera reducción. La frecuencia vocal siguió siendo inadecuada, a diferencia del resto de recursos vocales que mostraron una leve mejoría: intensidad, velocidad del habla, pausas, modulación y énfasis. Conclusión: las notas de lectura, la calidad vocal y algunos recursos vocales, a excepción de la frecuencia del habla, mostraron una ligera evolución al final del entrenamiento.