Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

1 Speech Therapy Department, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 1. Morteza Farazi, Assistant professor of Speech Therapy Department University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran. Iran

3 PhD Student of Speech Therapy, Department of Speech Therapy, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran Student Research Committee, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran

4 Assistance, Biostatistics Group, Biostatistics PhD, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran

5 Department of Speech Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

Abstract

Background: Voice production is a complex mechanism, and the primary tool of the population of professional voice users requires special care. Hence, one area of learning provided by speech and language pathologists to this population is vocal hygiene. The current study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of vocal hygiene education on actors' knowledge.
Method: In this semi-experimental study of one-group clinical trials, 50 actors (29 males and 21 females aged 18-50 years) were selected based on available sampling. Participants were asked to complete the "assessment of actors' vocal knowledge" questionnaire. During 4 sessions lasting 60 minutes each, the participating actors were trained on the vocal hygiene package. One week after the last training session, participants were again asked to complete the questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS software version 21, and indicators of descriptive statistics were analyzed.
Results: The mean score of voice abuse and non-abusive behaviors, which was 23.34 before training with the vocal hygiene package increased to 28.56 after education, a statistically significant change (p <0.001). The level of knowledge of participants on the mechanism of phonation increased after education from an average score of 10.12 to an average score of 11.21 (p <0.001). The mean score of knowledge of larynx pathology after education rose from 16.58 to 21.44, a significant change (p <0.001).
Conclusion: The provided vocal hygiene educational package increased the actors' knowledge of the mechanism of phonation, voice abuse and non-abusive behaviors, and the functional and structural disorders of the voice.

Keywords

  1.  

    1. Joseph C. Stemple. Voice therapy Clinical Study. 2nd ed. San Diego, California. Singular Publishing Group. 2000.
    2. Zeine L, Waltar KL. The Voice and Its Care: Survey Findings from Actors' Perspectives. J Voice. 2002; 16(2):229-43.
    3. Acker BF. Vocal tract adjustments for the projected voice. J Voice. 1987;1(1):77-82.
    4. Raphael BN, Scherer RC. Voice modifications of stage actors: Acoustic analyses. J Voice. 1987;1(1):83-7.
    5. Lerner MZ, Paskhover B, Acton L, Young N. Voice disorders in actors. J Voice. 2013;27(6):705-8.
    6. D'Haeseleer E, Meerschman I, Claeys S, Leyns C, Daelman J, Van Lierde K. Vocal Quality in Theater Actors. J Voice. 2017;31(4):510.e7-.e14.
    7. Behlau M, Oliveira G. Vocal hygiene for the voice professional. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2009;17(3):149-54.
    8. Rangarathnam B, Paramby T, McCullough GH. "Prologues to a Bad Voice": Effect of Vocal Hygiene Knowledge and Training on Voice Quality Following Stage Performance. J Voice. 2018;32(3):300-6.
    9. Ghorbani M, Hassanvand A, Vahab M, Hosseinzadeh s. Evaluation of the Reliability and Validity of Actors' Vocal Hygiene Knowledge Questionnaire. Journal of Rehabilitation Sciences & Research. 2019; 6(4):174-7.
    10. Ravall S, Simberg S. Voice Disorders and Voice Knowledge in Choir Singers. J Voice. 2020;34(1):157.e1-.e8.
    11. Yiu EM, Chan RM. Effect of hydration and vocal rest on the vocal fatigue in amateur karaoke singers. J Voice. 2003;17(2):216-27.
    12. Aronson A. Clinical voice disorders. New York: Theine Inc; 2000.
    13. Akhtar S, Wood G, Rubin JS, O'Flynn PE, Ratcliffe P. Effect of caffeine on the vocal folds: a pilot study. J Laryngol Otol. 1999;113(4):341-5.
    14. Mathieson L. Greene & Mathieson’s The Voice and Its Disorders. 6th ed. London: Whurr; 2001.
    15. Stemple JC, Glaze LE, Gerdeman BK. Clinical Voice Pathology: Theory and Management. 3rd ed. San Diego, CA: Singular; 2000.
    16. Irving RM, Epstein R, Harries MLL. Care of the professional voice. Clin Otolaryngol. 1997; 22:202–5.
    17.  Cattaruzza MS, Maisonneuve P, Boyle P. Epidemiology of laryngeal cancer. Eur J Cancer B Oral Oncol. 1996;32b(5):293-305.
    18. Benninger MS, Jacobson BH, Johnson AF. Vocal Arts Medicine: The Care and Prevention of Professional Voice Disorders. New York, NY: Thieme Medical; 1994.
    19. Lin Chung Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi, The effect of smoke and alcohol abuse to voice. Jovoice, 2008 Aug; 22(15):686-7.
    20. Hanson DG, Jiang JJ. Diagnosis and management of chronic laryngitis associated with reflux. Am J Med. 2000;108 Suppl 4a:112s-9s.
    21. Faghani Abukeili M, Khoddami SM, Jalaie S. Comparing acoustic and perceptual voice parameters in female teachers based on voice complaints. Bimonthly Audiology-Tehran University of Medical Sciences. 2014; 23(1):40-9.
    22. Faham M, Ahmadi A, Drinnan M, Saadatmand N, Fatahi E, Jalalipour M. The effects of a voice education program on VHI scores of elementary school teachers. J Voice. 2016; 30(6):755. e1-. e11.
    23. Wilner LK, Sataloff RT. Speech-language pathology and the professional voice. Ear, Nose Throat J. 1987: 66; 313–317.
    24. Broaddus-Lawrence PL, Treole K, Mc CabeRB, Allen RL, Toppin L.The effects of preventive vocal hygiene education on the vocal hygiene habits and perceptual vocal characteristics of training singers. J Voice.2000; 14(1):58-71.