Factores asociados al presentismo laboral y la calidad de vida relacionada con la voz en docentes universitarios colombianos dictando clases virtuales en tiempos de COVID-19

Objetivo: Identificar factores asociados al presentismo laboral y la calidad de vida relacionada con la voz en docentes universitarios colombianos con clases virtuales en tiempos de COVID-19. Metodología: Estudio transversal en el que veintinueve docentes de una universidad pública de Colombia participaron. Se utilizó un cuestionario en línea en la plataforma Google Forms, en el que se incluyeron preguntas sobre sintomatología vocal, calidad de vida asociada a la voz y al presentismo laboral asociado con sintomatología vocal. El análisis estadístico se realizó utilizando el software SPSS 25 (IBM Corporation). Resultados: El análisis multivariado de los factores asociados con el presentismo mostró que cuatro variables aumentaban los días de presentimos laboral, siendo el reporte de síntomas de voz en el mes previo a la recolección de datos la variable que aumentó en mayor proporción, seguido de estado civil soltero, número de estudiantes y el factor 2 del IFV. Respecto a los factores asociados de la calidad de vida relacionada con la voz, el análisis multivariado mostró que el reporte de incomodidad física asociada con la fonación (Factor 2 del IFV) fue la única variable que permaneció estadísticamente significativa. Conclusión: La fatiga vocal y la incomodidad física asociada con la fonación, así como el estado civil, están asociados con el presentismo vocal y la calidad de vida relacionada con la voz. Estos resultados resaltan las implicaciones de la sintomatología vocal en la salud, el bienestar y la economía de los docentes y las instituciones educativas, información que es importante cuando se requiere priorizar medidas preventivas y estrategias de intervención para los síntomas de voz y la fatiga vocal en docentes.

Objective: To identify associated factors of work presenteeism and voice-related quality of life among Colombian college professors teaching online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Cross-sectional study with the participation of twenty-nine college professors from a public university in Colombia. An online survey on the Google Forms platform was used for data collection and included questions about voice symptoms, voice-related quality of life, and work presenteeism due to voice disorders. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 25 software (IBM Corporation). Results: Multivariate analysis showed that four variables increased the number of presenteeism days. The variable with the higher effect was voice symptoms in the month before data collection, followed by being single, the number of students, and Factor 2 of the Vocal Fatigue Index. Regarding factors associated with voice-related quality of life, multivariate analysis showed that reporting physical discomfort during phonation (Factor 2 of the Vocal Fatigue Index) was the only variable that remained statistically significant. Conclusion: Vocal fatigue and physical discomfort during phonation, as well as marital status, are associated with work presenteeism and voice-related quality of life. These results highlight the consequences of voice symptoms on health, well-being, and economy of teachers and institutions. This information is important when preventive measurements and intervention strategies for voice symptoms and vocal fatigue among teachers need to be prioritized.

Effect of an online Workplace Vocal Health and Low Stress Levels Promotion Program implemented in a Colombian university during COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of an online Workplace Vocal Health and Low Stress Levels (WVHLS) Promotion Program implemented in a Colombian university during COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This research was a quasi-experimental study. Twenty-nine professors participated in this study within two groups: (1) intervention group (n=17) or (2) non-intervention group (n=12). Participants in the intervention group took part in four virtual sessions about how to improve vocal health and strategies to reduce stress levels during their homeworking and online classes. Teachers filled in a questionnaire including questions about working conditions, work-related stress, and the voice functioning (including the Vocal Fatigue Index-VFI). They also recorded a voice sample of a sustained vowel on two separate occasions (before and after the follow-up). RESULTS: At the end of the follow-up, there was a tendency to reduce Factor 1 of VFI in the intervention group. Although, all participants had a longer MPT at the end of the study compared with the baseline measures, males in the intervention group had longer MPT compared with other participants. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest a positive effect of a WVHLS promotion program on reducing vocal fatigue perception measured by means of the Vocal Fatigue Index and improving coordination and control of breathing speech measured MPT. These changes at the end of the follow-up may indicate that holistic programs that include voice care recommendations, breathing exercises, vocal warm-up, cold-down and laryngeal relaxation vocal exercises, and stress management may be beneficial for reducing work-related stress and voice symptoms among professors.

Effect of an online Workplace Vocal Health and Low Stress Levels Promotion Program implemented in a Colombian university during COVID-19 pandemic / Efeito de um programa online de promoção de saúde vocal no local de trabalho e de baixos níveis de estresse implementado em uma universidade colombiana durante a pandemia do COVID-19

ABSTRACT Purpose To determine the effect of an online Workplace Vocal Health and Low Stress Levels (WVHLS) Promotion Program implemented in a Colombian university during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This research was a quasi-experimental study. Twenty-nine professors participated in this study within two groups: (1) intervention group (n=17) or (2) non-intervention group (n=12). Participants in the intervention group took part in four virtual sessions about how to improve vocal health and strategies to reduce stress levels during their homeworking and online classes. Teachers filled in a questionnaire including questions about working conditions, work-related stress, and the voice functioning (including the Vocal Fatigue Index-VFI). They also recorded a voice sample of a sustained vowel on two separate occasions (before and after the follow-up). Results At the end of the follow-up, there was a tendency to reduce Factor 1 of VFI in the intervention group. Although, all participants had a longer MPT at the end of the study compared with the baseline measures, males in the intervention group had longer MPT compared with other participants. Conclusion Our results suggest a positive effect of a WVHLS promotion program on reducing vocal fatigue perception measured by means of the Vocal Fatigue Index and improving coordination and control of breathing speech measured MPT. These changes at the end of the follow-up may indicate that holistic programs that include voice care recommendations, breathing exercises, vocal warm-up, cold-down and laryngeal relaxation vocal exercises, and stress management may be beneficial for reducing work-related stress and voice symptoms among professors.

RESUMO Objetivo Determinar o efeito de um programa online de saúde vocal no local de trabalho e de redução dos níveis de estresse (SVLTRNE, ou por sua sigla em inglês, WVHLS - Workplace Vocal Health and Low Stress Levels), implementado em uma universidade colombiana durante a pandemia da COVID-19. Método O desenho do estudo foi quase experimental, com a participação de vinte e nove professores, separados em dois grupos: grupo intervenção (n=17) e grupo controle (n=12). Os participantes do grupo de intervenção participaram de quatro sessões virtuais que abordaram como melhorar a saúde vocal e as estratégias para reduzir os níveis de estresse durante o trabalho. Os professores preencheram um questionário que incluía questões sobre condições de trabalho, estresse relacionado ao trabalho e índice de fadiga vocal (IFV). Também foi gravada uma amostra de voz com uma vogal sustentada, em duas ocasiões diferentes (antes e depois da intervenção). Resultados No final desse estudo, foi observada uma tendência à redução do Fator 1 do IFV no grupo intervenção. Embora todos os participantes tivessem um TMF mais longo no final do estudo em comparação com as medidas basais, os homens do grupo de intervenção tiveram TMF mais longo em comparação com outros participantes. Conclusão Os resultados deste estudo sugerem um efeito positivo do programa de promoção WVHLS na redução da percepção de fadiga vocal e na melhora da coordenação e controle da coordenação pneumofônica, medidos com o IFV e TMF. Essas mudanças, observadas ao final do estudo, podem indicar que programas holísticos que incluem recomendações de cuidados com a voz, exercícios respiratórios, exercícios vocais de aquecimento e resfriamento, exercícios vocais de relaxamento laríngeo e controle do estresse podem ser benéficos para reduzir o estresse relacionado ao trabalho e sintomas vocais em professores.

Gender differences in vocal doses among occupational voice users: a systematic review of literature and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Occupational voice users such as teachers, singers, and broadcasters have high vocal demands increasing the risk for developing voice disorders. Among occupational voice users, the literature has report gender differences in vocal doses as part of vocal demands. However, these differences have not been quantified. OBJECTIVE: To determine differences per gender on vocal doses among different groups of occupational voice users. METHODS: A systematic review of literature and meta-analysis were conducted on publications about vocal dose among occupational voice users. In total, 242 potential articles were found. After screening of titles and abstracts, 16 papers were included for full revision in the systematic review of literature. For the meta-analysis, 7 out of 16 papers were included. RESULTS: Females had higher phonation time percentage compared with males (mean difference = 1.44, p value = .16). Nevertheless, this difference was not statistically significant. Among call centre operators, there was no difference in time doses associated with gender. Sport teachers had high values in time dose percentage, dissipation, and radiated energies. CONCLUSIONS: The meta-analysis shows variations in time doses, which could be associated with the vocal demand responses for females compared with males in occupational voice settings. Future investigations are required for establishing safe limits criteria for vocal doses, as well as vocal functioning in different working context.

Productivity costs associated to voice symptoms, low sleep quality, and stress among college professors during homeworking in times of COVID-19 Pandemic / Costos de productividad asociados a síntomas de voz, baja calidad del sueño y estrés en profesores universitarios durante el trabajo en casa en tiempos de COVID-19

Objective. To estimate the productivity reduction costs associated to self-reported voice symptoms, low sleep quality, and high stress levels among college professors during homeworking in times of COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. This cross-sectional study included fifty-eight college professors who re-ported their reduction in productivity at work due to self-perceived stress levels, sleep quality, and voice symptoms. Results. High stress levels were reported by 24% of the participants, whereas 19% reported voice symptoms, and 3% low sleep quality. Costs associated with the three conditions were calculated for twenty-nine subjects. Productivity costs associated with high stress levels were higher (COP$32.345.925) than those for voice symptoms (COP$1.872.703) and low sleep quality (COP$319.733). Conclusion: Productivity reduction costs were higher for professors who reported high levels of stress followed by participants with self-reported voice symptoms and low sleep quality, which highlight the importance of prioritizing activities to reduce stress levels and voice symptoms in workplace health promotion programs imple-mented in educational settings

Objetivo. Estimar los costos de reducción de productividad asociados con los sínto-mas de voz, la baja calidad del sueño y los altos niveles de estrés entre los profesores universitarios durante el trabajo en casa en tiempos de COVID-19.Métodos. Este estudio transversal incluyó la participación de 58 docentes uni-versitarios, los cuales reportaron la reducción de la productividad en el trabajo relacionada con sus percepciones de los niveles de estrés, la calidad del sueño y los síntomas de voz.Resultados. El 24% de los participantes informó altos niveles de estrés, mientras que el 19% informó síntomas de voz y el 3% mala calidad del sueño. Los costos asociados con las tres condiciones se calcularon para 29 sujetos. Los costos de pro-ductividad asociados a altos niveles de estrés fueron mayores (COP$32.345.925) en comparación con los síntomas de voz (COP$1.872.703) y la mala calidad del sueño (COP$319.733).Conclusiones: Los costos asociados a la reducción en la productividad fueron altos en docentes que reportaron altos niveles de estrés, seguidos de los que reportaron síntomas de voz y baja calidad del sueño. Lo anterior resalta la importancia de prio-rizar actividades dirigidas a reducir los niveles de estrés y los síntomas vocales en los programas de promoción de la salud en los lugares de trabajo que se implementan en las instituciones educativas

Vocal health and stress: the occupational voice users' perspective during the COVID-19 pandemic / Salud vocal y estrés: la perspectiva de los usuarios ocupacionales de la voz durante la pandemia COVID-19

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created a new scenario for vocal and psychological morbidity among the entire population. Occupational voice users have had to adapt to these unique circumstances, confronting brand-new risks that increase the odds of developing and exacerbate vocal and mental health disor-ders. This paper addresses some of these challenges during and after COVID-19 pandemic. As a major outcome, we identified that work-related factors in online environments could be altering the vocal and mental health among occupational voice users. Interventions should focus on a comprehensive assessment of risk fac-tors, including poor mental health previous to a crisis, life-threatening circumstances, separation from family, panic and bereavement. Similarly, this type of worker must receive instructions in voice training, muscle relaxation and mindfulness techniques, and educational technolog

La pandemia del coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) ha creado un nuevo escenario para la morbilidad vocal y psicológica entre la población mundial. Los usuarios ocupacio-nales de la voz se han tenido que adaptar a estas circunstancias únicas, enfrentando nuevos riesgos que aumentan las probabilidades de desarrollar y agravar desórdenes vocales y mentales. Este documento aborda algunos de estos desafíos durante y des-pués de la pandemia del COVID-19. Un resultado sustancial que fue identificado fue la incidencia de los factores relacionados con el trabajo online sobre la salud vocal y mental de los usuarios ocupacionales de la voz. Las intervenciones deberían enfo-carse en la evaluación exhaustiva de los factores de riesgo, incluyendo el estudio de la salud mental previo a una crisis, circunstancias que amenacen la vida, separación

Amplificación vocal en el ámbito ocupacional educativo: una revisión de la literatura / Voice amplification in the education field: a literature review

Resumen Introducción. La amplificación vocal se ha utilizado como una herramienta para prevenir desórdenes de voz en profesores. Objetivos. Conocer los cambios reportados sobre el comportamiento vocal cuando los profesores utilizan sistemas de amplificación vocal y hacer una comparación entre el antes y el después de su uso. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó una revisión de artículos en cuatro bases de datos y se seleccionaron 11 bajo criterios de inclusión y exclusión: 3 presentaron un nivel de evidencia IIb, mientras que 8, IV. Se analizó la información de los artículos para recolectar datos sobre los efectos en el comportamiento vocal a nivel perceptivo y acústico frente al uso de amplificación vocal. Resultados. Los participantes tuvieron una reducción en la intensidad y en la frecuencia fundamental con mayores efectos en la población sin desorden de voz. Hubo una disminución significativa de la dosis de distancia a diferencia de la dosis de ciclo. En los cuestionarios se infirió un descenso en síntomas, reducción de la carga vocal y mejora en la comunicación. Conclusión. Los amplificadores de voz sirven para prevenir trastornos de la voz. Investigaciones futuras deberán manejar un rigor investigativo en los niveles de evidencia y un diseño de estudio que permita obtener resultados consistentes en diferentes usuarios de la voz.

Abstract Introduction: Voice amplifiers have been used as tools to prevent voice disorders in teachers. Objectives: To know reported changes in vocal behavior when teachers use voice amplification systems and to make a comparison before and after their use. Materials and methods: A review of articles was carried out in four databases and 11 were selected following inclusion and exclusion criteria; the level of evidence was IIb in 3 of them and IV in 8. The information of the articles was analyzed to collect data on the effects on perceptual and acoustic vocal behavior versus the use of voice amplification. Results: The participants showed a decrease in the intensity and fundamental frequency, with greater effects on the population without a speech disorder. There was a significant decrease in the distance dose as opposed to the cycle dose. A decrease in symptoms was inferred from the questionnaires, as well as a reduction of vocal load and improvement in communication. Conclusion: Voice amplifiers are a tool for preventing voice disorders. Future research should be more rigorous regarding the levels of evidence and include a study design that allows obtaining consistent results in different voice users.