Active clinical trials for "Voice Disorders"

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about voice function before and 3 hours after administration of first generation over-the-counter antihistamine in individuals who have been medically diagnosed with allergies and routinely take over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines for allergy symptoms. The main questions are: Do first generation OTC antihistamines make voice function worse as measured via voice acoustic and aerodynamic measures? It is hypothesized that all objectives measures will reflect a negative change in voice function. Do first generation OTC antihistamines make voice function worse as measured via participant and researcher perceptual measures? It is hypothesized that participants will rate their vocal function as more effortful after taking the antihistamine and researchers will rate voice quality as worse. Participants ages 18-35 who have been diagnosed with allergies, are free of laryngeal pathology, and meet inclusion criteria will be consented. Participation in the study involves a pretrial visit and one day of data collection. The initial visit will obtain informed consent and train the trial measures. The 2nd day involves determination of systemic hydration (<1.02 g/ml), administration of the OTC antihistamine (Chlor-Trimeton), and measures taken at baseline and 3 hours after antihistamine administration. This antihistamine was selected for its lower sedation and anticholinergic effects than its other first-generation options. Each participant will take one, 12mg tablet. Onset action time for this antihistamine is 3 hours. Participants will be given water to consume during the 3 hour wait for the 2nd data time point to maintain hydration. Measures include routine clinical perceptual, acoustic, aerodynamic, and laryngeal imaging measures.

The specific aim of the clinical trial portion of the larger research project is to obtain preliminary data on the utility of voice training (resonant voice) in the VR environment compared to a traditional clinical environment, using a mixed model within- and between-subjects randomized experimental design. Independent Variables are (1) training and test condition (clinic room vs VR classroom for training); (2) visual speaker-to-listener distance (2m, 4m, and 6m for training); and (3) time point (baseline at 2 m, retention test at 4 m, and 9 m for transfer test). Dependent Variables are (a) vocal sound pressure level (SPL); and (b) spectral moments (spectral mean and standard deviation (in Hz and cents), skewness, and kurtosis). The hypothesis is that a two-way interaction will be shown between training condition and time point showing greater acquisition and transfer of voice skills following training in the VR environment than in the typical clinical environment. This series will utilize a high degree of innovation and sophisticated VR technology to identify parameters important for subsequent VR development in voice therapy, and to lay the empirical foundation for subsequent studies that build on the present work expanding both its basic science and translational value.

The diagnosis and management of childhood dysphonia is a significant clinical problem; however, there have been few studies aimed at defining standard assessment methods for pediatric dysphonia. Accordingly, pediatric dysphonia is difficult to diagnose and it is difficult to quantify change following treatment. The long-term goal of this research program is to develop valid, responsive, reliable, and age-appropriate methods for assessing vocal pathology in children. In the present small grant, our objective is to define assessment methods that are appropriate for use in determining response to treatment. Our main focus, therefore, is the issue of assessment responsivity. The first specific aim is to develop a set of responsive measures of vocal pathology in school-aged children by inducing short-term change in vocal status via behavioral and medical management of extraesophageal reflux disease (EERD). Because we are treating children suspected of EERD, this study also presents the opportunity for examining the benefits of combined vocal hygiene and medical management in the treatment of pediatric EERD. Accordingly, our second specific aim is to determine predictive criteria for improvement in vocal status in dysphonic children suspected of EERD. Our hypothesis is that a particular set of measurements will emerge as particularly responsive to change in vocal pathology in this population, and will allow for informed prediction of degree of improvement with treatment. The proposed research is significant in filling a gap in knowledge in childhood dysphonia assessment and treatment, which are important clinical issues consistent with the mission and intent of the NIDCD. Because phonatory disorders in children may have lasting negative effects, studies geared toward accurate assessment and treatment are very important.

The larynx and vocal folds undergo many age-related changes in their physiology and structure that can lead to undesirable effects on the voice, with changes in the respiratory system compounding these deficits. These changes, also called presbyphonia, can have serious detrimental effects on the lives of elderly individuals. There are few studies that have evaluated the use of voice therapy treatment options for these patients. The primary aim of this study is to test whether the addition of expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) to a current, validated voice therapy protocol aimed at treating presbyphonia, (phonation resistance training, PhoRTE) can improve outcomes of therapy.

This study intends to collect clinical data such as strobary laryngoscope images and vowel audio data of patients with structural voice disorders and healthy individuals, and to establish a multimodal voice disorder diagnosis system model by using deep learning algorithms. Multi-classification of diseases that cause voice disorders can be applied to patients with voice disorders but undiagnosed in clinical practice, thereby assisting clinicians in diagnosing diseases and reducing misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis. In addition, some patients with voice disorders can be managed remotely through the audio diagnosis model, and better follow-up and treatment suggestions can be given to them. Remote voice therapy can alleviate the current situation of the shortage of speech therapists in remote areas of our country, and increase the number of patients who need voice therapy. opportunity. Remote voice therapy is more cost-effective, more flexible in time, and more cost-effective.

Dysphagia in Parkinson's disease(PD) is common and its presence is related to motor and sensory abnormalities, and incoordination between swallowing and breathing. Despite harming as respiratory infections and increased risk of death, treatment of this condition remains uncertain. This study aims to evaluate the effect of oral motor exercises on the swallowing dynamics and quality of life of dysphagic Parkinson's disease patients. This study is an open trial, self-paired and blinded to the examiner. The participants will perform oropharyngeal exercises for five weeks and will be evaluated before and after intervention by swallowing videofluoroscopy and questionnaires about quality of life in dysphagia (SWAL-QOL).

This study will examine how dextromethorphan, a drug that alters reflexes of the larynx (voice box), might change voice symptoms in people with voice disorders due to uncontrolled laryngeal muscle spasms. These include abductor spasmodic dysphonia (breathy voice breaks), adductor spasmodic dysphonia (vowel breaks), muscular tension dysphonia (tight strained voice), and vocal tremor (tremulous voice). Dextromethorphan-one of a group of drugs called NMDA antagonists-has been used for years in over-the-counter cough suppressant medicines. In animal studies, the drug has blocked one of the reflexes in the larynx that may be associated with spasms in the laryngeal muscles. This study will compare the effects of dextromethorphan, lorazepam (a valium-type drug), and a placebo (inactive substance) in patients with the four types of voice disorders described above. Patients with spasmodic dysphonia, muscular tension dysphonia and vocal tremor may be eligible for this study. Individuals who smoke or use tobacco, who have vocal nodules or polyps, or who have a history of airway obstruction may not participate. Candidates will be screened with a medical history and physical examination, a questionnaire, voice recording (repeating sentences into a microphone), and nasolaryngoscopy (examination of the larynx with a tube advanced through the nose). For the nasolaryngoscopy, the inside of the nose is sprayed with a decongestant (to open the nasal passages) and possibly a local anesthetic. A small, flexible tube called a nasolaryngoscope is passed through the nose to look at the larynx during speech and other tasks, such as singing, whistling and prolonged vowels. Participants will be admitted to the NIH Clinical Center for each of three visits, which will last from the afternoon of one day to late afternoon of the following day. At each visit, patients will complete a questionnaire, baseline speech recording, and a test for sedation level. They will take three pills-either dextromethorphan, lorazepam, or placebo-one every 6 hours. Vital signs will be checked every 6 hours and the level of sedation during waking hours will be monitored. One to three hours after taking the third pill, speech recording, questionnaire and test of sedation will be repeated to check for possible voice changes. Patients will be given a different pill at each visit. ...

Two voice therapy methods are compared. Activity noise levels and vocal load of teachers during teaching in primary school classrooms are evaluated. Acoustic and Workshop Interventions are implemented in order to reduce noise level during lesson.

The purpose of this study is to assess subjects with muscle tension dysphonia for perceived effort and acoustic effects of gargle phonation compared to baseline and a sham water swallow.

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine and compare the effects of different voice therapy programs in children with vocal fold nodules. Vocal fold nodules are non-cancerous growths on the vocal folds which cause hoarseness. The main questions this trial aims to answer are: What are the short-term effects of the new voice therapy program 'straw phonation' and a more traditional 'resonant voice therapy' program on (a) the vocal quality, (b) the size of the growths on the vocal folds, and (c) the overall functioning in children with vocal fold nodules? During straw phonation exercises, you make sound through a drinking straw. During resonant voice therapy exercises or 'humming', you make an 'm' sound as you breathe out. What are the long-term effects of these voice therapy programs? Participants will receive a short-term intensive voice therapy program of four days. The researchers will compare the straw phonation group, resonant voice therapy group and control group to see if voice therapy works well in treating children with vocal fold nodules. The researchers hypothesize that straw phonation will have better results than resonant voice therapy. Straw phonation exercises are easier for children because they use an external tool (the straw) and less self-correction is needed.