Effects of a 6-Week Straw Phonation in Water Exercise Program on the Aging Voice

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 1018-1032
Author(s):  
Chia-Hsin Wu ◽  
Roger W. Chan

Purpose Semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT) exercises with tubes or straws have been widely used for a variety of voice disorders. Yet, the effects of longer periods of SOVT exercises (lasting for weeks) on the aging voice are not well understood. This study investigated the effects of a 6-week straw phonation in water (SPW) exercise program. Method Thirty-seven elderly subjects with self-perceived voice problems were assigned into two groups: (a) SPW exercises with six weekly sessions and home practice (experimental group) and (b) vocal hygiene education (control group). Before and after intervention (2 weeks after the completion of the exercise program), acoustic analysis, auditory–perceptual evaluation, and self-assessment of vocal impairment were conducted. Results Analysis of covariance revealed significant differences between the two groups in smoothed cepstral peak prominence measures, harmonics-to-noise ratio, the auditory–perceptual parameter of breathiness, and Voice Handicap Index-10 scores postintervention. No significant differences between the two groups were found for other measures. Conclusions Our results supported the positive effects of SOVT exercises for the aging voice, with a 6-week SPW exercise program being a clinical option. Future studies should involve long-term follow-up and additional outcome measures to better understand the efficacy of SOVT exercises, particularly SPW exercises, for the aging voice.

2015 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 535-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mara R. Kapsner-Smith ◽  
Eric J. Hunter ◽  
Kimberly Kirkham ◽  
Karin Cox ◽  
Ingo R. Titze

PurposeAlthough there is a long history of use of semi-occluded vocal tract gestures in voice therapy, including phonation through thin tubes or straws, the efficacy of phonation through tubes has not been established. This study compares results from a therapy program on the basis of phonation through a flow-resistant tube (FRT) with Vocal Function Exercises (VFE), an established set of exercises that utilize oral semi-occlusions.MethodTwenty subjects (16 women, 4 men) with dysphonia and/or vocal fatigue were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment conditions: (a) immediate FRT therapy, (b) immediate VFE therapy, (c) delayed FRT therapy, or (d) delayed VFE therapy. Subjects receiving delayed therapy served as a no-treatment control group.ResultsVoice Handicap Index (Jacobson et al., 1997) scores showed significant improvement for both treatment groups relative to the no-treatment group. Comparison of the effect sizes suggests FRT therapy is noninferior to VFE in terms of reduction in Voice Handicap Index scores. Significant reductions in Roughness on the Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (Kempster, Gerratt, Verdolini Abbott, Barkmeier-Kraemer, & Hillman, 2009) were found for the FRT subjects, with no other significant voice quality findings.ConclusionsVFE and FRT therapy may improve voice quality of life in some individuals with dysphonia. FRT therapy was noninferior to VFE in improving voice quality of life in this study.


2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-48
Author(s):  
Veysi Çay ◽  
Gurbuz Buyukyazi ◽  
Cevval Ulman ◽  
Fatma Taneli ◽  
Yeliz Doğru ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectives:This study aims to examine effects of aerobic jogging and explosive power exercises on body composition, maximal oxygen consumption (MaxVOMaterials and methods:Thirty seven healthy males were divided into exercise group (EG, n=19) and control group (CG, n=18). EG completed 10 weeks of outdoor aerobic (jogging at 60–70% maximal heart rate reserve starting from 20 min steadily increasing up to 28 min) and explosive power exercises (in 2–3 sets, with maximum repetitions lasting 15 s), 3 times per week. All measurements were taken before and after the exercise program. BMD was measured via dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).Results:Body mass index (p<0.001) significantly decreased; MaxVOConclusion:Performing our outdoor exercise program in spring months might have an important role in the significant increase (9 vs. 22 ng/mL) in mean vitamin D level, which reached above the fracture risk level of 20 ng/mL.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Bertini ◽  
Elena Isola ◽  
Giuseppe Paolone ◽  
Giuseppe Curcio

The study aims at evaluating health-generating function of humor therapy in a hospital ward hosting children suffering from respiratory pathologies. The main scope of this study is to investigate possible positive effects of the presence of a clown on both the clinical evolution of the on-going disease, and on some physiological and pain parameters. Forty-three children with respiratory pathologies participated in the study: 21 of them belonged to the experimental group (EG) and 22 children to the control group (CG). During their hospitalization, the children of the EG interacted with two clowns who were experienced in the field of pediatric intervention. All participants were evaluated with respect to clinical progress and to a series of physiological and pain measures both before and after the clown interaction. When compared with the CG, EG children showed an earlier disappearance of the pathological symptoms. Moreover, the interaction of the clown with the children led to a statistically significant lowering of diastolic blood pressure, respiratory frequency and temperature in the EG as compared with the control group. The other two parameters of systolic pressure and heart frequency yielded results in the same direction, without reaching statistical significance. A similar health-inducing effect of clown presence was observed on pain parameters, both by self evaluation and assessment by nurses. Taken together, our data indicate that the presence of clowns in the ward has a possible health-inducing effect. Thus, humor can be seen as an easy-to-use, inexpensive and natural therapeutic modality to be used within different therapeutic settings.


2009 ◽  
Vol 137 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 234-238
Author(s):  
Mirjana Petrovic-Lazic ◽  
Snezana Babac ◽  
Zoran Ivankovic ◽  
Rade Kosanovic

Introduction. There are subjective and objective ways to examine the effects of vocal therapy in voice disorders. The most precise and objective check-up is the use of computer voice analysis. Objective. The aim of the research was to perform a detailed analysis of acoustic structure of the vowel A before and after voice treatment in patients with vocal fold nodules in order to obtain objective verification of the vocal rehabilitation success. Methods. We examined 30 female patients, aged 34.6?6.69 years, with vocal fold nodules. Acoustic parameters of voice were compared with the control group consisting of 21 subjects without voice pathology. In all persons the vowel A was recorded and analyzed before and after a month of vocal therapy. The success of the vocal therapy was tracked using computer analysis of vocal structure. Signal, noise and tremor parameters were processed. Results. Of the analyzed vowel A parameters: STD, PER, JITA, JITT, RAP, vFO, ShdB, SHIM, APQ, VTI, SPI, F0, NHR, FTRI, eleven improved (p<0.05 and p<0.01). Three parameters (F0, NHR, FTRI) changed showing improvement, but the obtained differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion. Based on the obtained results it was concluded that vocal therapy gave satisfactory results, but that it should be continually applied until full stabilization of the voice.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Kianbakht ◽  
Sedighe Naghel ◽  
Freshte Alidadi ◽  
Vahid Nejati ◽  
Hossien Kohandel ◽  
...  

Objectives: Neurofeedback is known as a modern therapy for hyperactive children, nevertheless it is not a complete therapy for these patients. The goal of this therapy is to create a complete therapy for ADHD children, so neurofeedback is used with cognitive rehabilitation therapy to make more integrated therapy. Method: this is an experimental study. 30 subjects were selected through random selection from women who referred to 5 clinics of Tehran city, and they were placed into 2 experimental groups and 1 control group. Groups are matched in age, sexuality and economic situation. One group just received neurofeedback into 10 sessions, another group received neurofeedback plus cognitive rehabilitation therapy at the same during, and control group received no therapy or they leaved the therapy at the first steps. Integrated visual and auditory test (IVA) was used as pretest and posttest, to measure two factors (attention and impulsivity) in ADHD children. Cognitive rehabilitation therapy protocol is based on work of Nejati (1391). Data evaluated by dependent T test and analysis of covariance. Results: according to findings, there is meaningful difference between all groups in attention and impulsivity factors. The group who received neurofeedback plus cognitive rehabilitation therapy showed more improvement in attention and impulsivity factors. Also there was a meaningful difference between neurofeedback group and control group in attention factor. Conclusion: neurofeedback is supposed as a facilitator therapy to improve attention factor in ADHD children, but not as a complete therapy, especially about performance factors. Also, it is better to use a complementary therapy such as cognitive rehabilitation therapy that focuses more on performance factors. It leads to more positive effects on impulsivity or even hyperactivity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 2180-2184
Author(s):  
Mehmet Murat Beyaz ◽  
Gökçe Oktay

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of 6-week Zumba exercises on flexibility, leg strength, back strength and muscular endurance parameters in women aged 25-45. The research group consists of a total of (n=20) women, (n=10) in the experimental group and (n=10) in the control group, between the ages of 25-45 living in Istanbul. The participants in the experimental group were given 60 minutes of Zumba exercises 3 days a week for 6 weeks, and sit-reach, 1-minute sit-up and strength test measurements were made to the participants before and after the exercise program. Participants in the control group were not included in any exercise program. As a result of the analysis, it was determined that there was a statistically significant difference between the participants' flexibility, leg strength, back strength and muscular endurance values between the pre-test and post-test within the group (p< 0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference between the pre-test and post-test values between the groups (p< 0.05). In conclusion; It was determined that zumba exercises applied to the experimental group did not have a significant effect on flexibility, muscular endurance and back strength. In the leg strength parameter, the effect of zumba exercises applied to the experimental group on leg strength was found to be significant at a rate of 34%. In the light of these data, it was concluded that zumba exercises performed in sedentary women have a positive effect on lower extremity strength. Keywords: Zumba Fitness, Exercise, Women and Exercise


2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 31668
Author(s):  
Elham Eftekhari ◽  
Masoud Etemadifar

AIMS: To determine the effect of Mat Pilates on serum levels of interleukin-10 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in women with multiple sclerosis.METHODS: Thirty women with multiple sclerosis with mild to moderate disability were recruited and randomly divided into equal Pilates training and Control groups. Patients in the training group accomplished a Pilates program three times a week for eight weeks. The Control group maintained their routine lifestyle. The serum level of interleukin-10 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor were measured before and after the protocol. The differences between groups were assessed by using analysis of covariance test to compare post-tests by considering covariate pre-tests (assuming a p-value <0.05 as significant).RESULTS: There were no significant changes in interleukin-10 (13.09±5.36 ng/ml in the Pilates training group compared to 13.21±4.76 ng/ml in the Control group, p= 0.81), whereas an increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor was observed after eight-week Pilates training (11550.14±2619.60 ng/ml in the Pilates training group compared to 9664.35±3161.66 ng/ml in the Control group, p= 0.03).CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the intensity and duration of this protocol was not related to significant changes in interleukin-10, but was followed by an increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor in these patients. Based on this finding, physical activity according to the individual’s ability is recommended for patients with multiple sclerosis, in parallel with drug therapy.


1989 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 727-738 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy N. Byl ◽  
Frederick M. Byl ◽  
Joseph H. Rosenthal

Form rotation, figure directionality, and figure-ground discrimination were evaluated before and after 10 days of vestibular or aerobic exercises for 30 boys (7 to 12 yr.) who showed problems in learning, reading, and inattention. Eight subjects had normal vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) responses as determined by caloric and rotational testing. They were assigned to a vestibular program (Control Group I). The 22 subjects with abnormal VOR test responses were randomly assigned to either aerobic exercises (Experimental Group II) or a vestibular program (Experimental Group III). Spatial perceptual test scores varied widely, with the majority performing below age-expected norms but no significant differences on vestibular status appeared. Postexercise, only subjects completing the vestibular program made significant gains: Experimental Group III (abnormal VOR) made significant gains in accuracy and normal test responses compared to the other groups, and Control Group I made significantly greater gains in speed of spatial perceptual processing. For boys with problems in learning, reading, inattention, and vestibular function, a vestibular exercise program complementing a traditional or special educational program may enhance the spatial perceptual skills needed for reading.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohsen Kazeminia ◽  
Nader Salari ◽  
Aliakbar Vaisi-Raygani ◽  
Rostam Jalali ◽  
Alireza Abdi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Physical activity and exercise are among the most important, simplest, and cheapest approaches to anxiety treatment, especially for the elderly. Their positive effects on improvement of mental disorders in the elderly have attracted a considerable level of attention. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the effect of sport on reducing anxiety in the elderly using meta-analysis. Methods In this study, national and international databases of SID, MagIran, IranMedex, IranDoc, Cochrane, Embase, ScienceDirect, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched to find studies published electronically from 1999 to 2019. Heterogeneity between the collected studies was determined using the Cochran's test (Q) and I2. Due to presence of heterogeneity, the random effects model was used to estimate the standardized mean difference of sport test scores obtained from the measurement of anxiety reduction among the elderly, between the intervention group before and after the test. Results In this meta-analysis and systematic review, 19 papers finally met the inclusion criteria. The overall sample size of all collected studies for the meta-analysis was 841 s. Mean anxiety score before and after intervention were 38.7 ± 5.6 33.7 ± 3.4 respectively, denoting a decrease in anxiety score after intervention. Conclusion Results of this study indicates that Sport significantly reduces Anxiety in the Elderly. Therefore, a regular exercise program can be considered as a part of the elderly care program.


2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 550-558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Tortosa-Martínez ◽  
Angela Clow ◽  
Nuria Caus-Pertegaz ◽  
Gloria González-Caballero ◽  
Immaculada Abellán-Miralles ◽  
...  

Regular physical activity is protective against, and beneficial for, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. The mechanisms underlying these benefits remain unknown although it has been suggested that exercise-induced changes in the circadian pattern of cortisol secretion may be implicated. Fitness, salivary cortisol levels (0 and 30 min postawakening, midday, 5 p.m., and 9 p.m.), and cognitive function were determined in a group of amnestic MCI patients (n = 39) before and after a three-month exercise program (n = 19) or usual care (n = 20). At baseline, fitness measures were positively correlated with peak levels of cortisol and a greater fall in cortisol concentration from peak levels to midday. The exercise intervention successfully increased fitness and resulted in a greater fall in cortisol concentration from peak to midday, compared with the control group. The exercise intervention enhanced indices of executive function, although memory, mood, and functionality were not affected.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document