Does Body Mass Index Interfere in the Formation of Speech Formants?

Introduction Studies in the fields of voice and speech have increasingly focused on the vocal tract and the importance of its structural integrity, and changes in the anatomy and configuration of the vocal tract determine the variations in phonatory and acoustic measurements, especially in the formation of the formants (Fs). Recent studies have revealed the functional consequences arising from being overweight and having an accumulation of fat in the pharyngeal region, including obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and impacts on the voice. Objectives To assess the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and analysis of the speech. Methods This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo (no. 288,430). The cohort consisted of 124 individuals aged between 18 and 45 with full permanent dentition and selected randomly. The participants underwent a brief medical history taking, BMI assessments and recording emissions of the sustained vowels /a/, /ε/, /i/, and /u/ by acoustic program PRAAT (v. 5.3.85, Boersma and Weenink, Amsterdam, Netherlands). Recordings were taken using a unidirectional microphone headset (model Karsect HT-9, Guangdong, China), with a condenser connected to an external sound card (USB-SA 2.0, model Andrea, PureAudio™, Pleasant Grove, UT, USA), to reduce noise. Results There was a significant correlation between BMI and formant 3 (F3) vowel /a/; however, there was a low degree of correlation intensity. Conclusions We did not observe a correlation between the BMI and the speech formants, but we believe there is a trend in this correlation that leads to changes in speech patterns with increases in BMI.

Does Body Mass Index Interfere in the Formation of Speech Formants?

Abstract Introduction Studies in the fields of voice and speech have increasingly focused on the vocal tract and the importance of its structural integrity, and changes in the anatomy and configuration of the vocal tract determine the variations in phonatory and acoustic measurements, especially in the formation of the formants (Fs). Recent studies have revealed the functional consequences arising from being overweight and having an accumulation of fat in the pharyngeal region, including obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and impacts on the voice. Objectives To assess the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and analysis of the speech. Methods This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo (no. 288,430). The cohort consisted of 124 individuals aged between 18 and 45 with full permanent dentition and selected randomly. The participants underwent a brief medical history taking, BMI assessments and recording emissions of the sustained vowels /a/, /ε/, /i/, and /u/ by acoustic program PRAAT (v. 5.3.85, Boersma and Weenink, Amsterdam, Netherlands). Recordings were taken using a unidirectional microphone headset (model Karsect HT-9, Guangdong, China), with a condenser connected to an external sound card (USB-SA 2.0, model Andrea, PureAudio™, Pleasant Grove, UT, USA), to reduce noise. Results There was a significant correlation between BMI and formant 3 (F3) vowel /a/; however, there was a low degree of correlation intensity. Conclusions We did not observe a correlation between the BMI and the speech formants, but we believe there is a trend in this correlation that leads to changes in speech patterns with increases in BMI.

Group climate in the voice therapy of patients with Parkinson's Disease. / Clima de grupo na terapia vocal de pacientes com Doença de Parkinson.

PURPOSE: To verify the impact that group dynamics and coaching strategies have on the PD patients voice, speech and communication, as well as the group climate. METHODS: 16 individuals with mild to moderate dysarthria due to the PD were divided into two groups: the CG (8 patients), submitted to traditional therapy with 12 regular therapy sessions plus 4 additional support sessions; and the EG (8 patients), submitted to traditional therapy with 12 regular therapy sessions plus 4 sessions with group dynamics and coaching strategies. The Living with Dysarthria questionnaire (LwD), the self-evaluation of voice, speech and communication, and the perceptual-auditory analysis of the vocal quality were assess in 3 moments: pre-traditional therapy (pre); post-traditional therapy (post 1); and post support sessions/coaching strategies (post 2); in post 1 and post 2 moments, the Group Climate Questionnaire (GCQ) was also applied. RESULTS: CG and EG showed an improvement in the LwD from pre to post 1 and post 2 moments. Voice self-evaluation was better for the EG - when pre was compared with post 2 and when post 1 was compared with post 2 - ranging from regular to very good; both groups presented improvement in the communication self-evaluation. The perceptual-auditory evaluation of the vocal quality was better for the EG in the post 1 moment. No difference was found for the GCQ; however, the EG presented lower avoidance scores in post 2. CONCLUSION: All patients showed improvement in the voice, speech and communication self-evaluation; EG showed lower avoidance scores, creating a more collaborative and propitious environment for speech therapy.

Clima de grupo na terapia vocal de pacientes com Doença de Parkinson / Group climate in the voice therapy of patients with Parkinson's Disease

RESUMO Objetivo Verificar impacto de estratégias de coaching e de dinâmica dos grupos na voz, fala, comunicação e clima do grupo de pacientes com DP. Método Participaram 16 indivíduos com disartria leve a moderada por DP, divididos em: GC (8 pacientes), terapia tradicional (12 sessões mais 4 de reforço), e GE (8 pacientes), terapia tradicional (12 sessões) acrescida de 4 sessões de estratégias de coaching de dinâmica dos grupos. Foi aplicado questionário Vivendo com Disartria - VcD, além de autoavaliação da voz, fala e comunicação e análise perceptivo-auditiva da voz, nos momentos: pré-terapia, pós-terapia tradicional (pós 1) e pós-reforço/estratégias de coaching (pós 2); no pós 1 e 2 foi aplicado o Questionário Clima de Grupo - QCG. Resultados GC e GE apresentaram melhores escores do VcD, comparando pré com pós 1 e pós 2. A autoavaliação da voz foi melhor no GE, comparando pré com pós 2 e pós 1 com pós 2, de regular para muito boa; ambos apresentaram melhora na autoavaliação da comunicação. A análise perceptivo-auditiva foi diferente entre os grupos no pós 1, com vozes melhores no GE. Sem diferença em QCG; contudo, GE apresentou menor evitação no pós 2. Conclusão Pacientes apresentaram melhor autoavaliação da voz, fala e comunicação nas duas modalidades de terapia; GE mostrou redução na evitação, tornando o ambiente mais colaborativo e propício para a terapia fonoaudiológica.

ABSTRACT Purpose To verify the impact that group dynamics and coaching strategies have on the PD patients voice, speech and communication, as well as the group climate. Methods 16 individuals with mild to moderate dysarthria due to the PD were divided into two groups: the CG (8 patients), submitted to traditional therapy with 12 regular therapy sessions plus 4 additional support sessions; and the EG (8 patients), submitted to traditional therapy with 12 regular therapy sessions plus 4 sessions with group dynamics and coaching strategies. The Living with Dysarthria questionnaire (LwD), the self-evaluation of voice, speech and communication, and the perceptual-auditory analysis of the vocal quality were assess in 3 moments: pre-traditional therapy (pre); post-traditional therapy (post 1); and post support sessions/coaching strategies (post 2); in post 1 and post 2 moments, the Group Climate Questionnaire (GCQ) was also applied. Results CG and EG showed an improvement in the LwD from pre to post 1 and post 2 moments. Voice self-evaluation was better for the EG - when pre was compared with post 2 and when post 1 was compared with post 2 - ranging from regular to very good; both groups presented improvement in the communication self-evaluation. The perceptual-auditory evaluation of the vocal quality was better for the EG in the post 1 moment. No difference was found for the GCQ; however, the EG presented lower avoidance scores in post 2. Conclusion All patients showed improvement in the voice, speech and communication self-evaluation; EG showed lower avoidance scores, creating a more collaborative and propitious environment for speech therapy.

Análise da força máxima da mordida segundo a preferência mastigatória / Analysis of maximum bite force according to chewing side preference

Introdução: a preferência mastigatória (PM) é o lado mais usado pelo indivíduo durante o ato de mastigação, que pode estar relacionado com a força máxima da mordida (FMM), que é a máxima força exercida pelo indivíduo durante a fragmentação dos alimentos e é determinada por muitos fatores. Objetivo: analisar a FMM de indivíduos, em diferentes faixas etárias..segundo a PM. Métodos: a amostra constitui em 80 indivíduos, divididos igualmente entre sexo e faixa etária. Cada indivíduo fou submetido a uma avaliação miofuncional, composta por uma avaliação clínica associada à anamnese sobre PM, medidas antropométricas de peso e altura, de onde foi extraído o IMC, avaliação das condições dentárias e avaliação da força máxima de mordida, usando um dinamômetro modelo DDK/M (Kratos, Cotia/SP), na esala N. A avaliação dentária e fa força de mordida foram monitoradas por um profissional da área. Após o computo dos dados, foram submetidos à análise estatística.Resultado: foi observada maior FMM do lado direito em indivíduos que relataram ter PM à direita, e uma tendência para PM à esquerda com maior FMM para o mesmo lado. Conclusão: a PM à direita determina a FMM, o que não acontece com idade, sexo e IMC.