Effect of an iOS App on Voice Therapy Adherence and Motivation

Purpose Patients commonly report difficulties adhering to voice therapy. An iOS app was developed in our lab that assists practice via reminder notifications, instructional recordings, and cepstral peak prominence analysis results. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of such homework support modality on adherence behavior and associated motivation in a comparison of app support and written homework instructions and to assess the usability and utility of the app. Method Thirty-four individuals exhibiting adducted hyperfunction were randomized to receive either written homework instructions or the app when practicing resonant voice exercises for 3 weeks. All patients digitally audio-recorded all home practice, provided self-reported estimates of generalization, and completed weekly motivation scales. Results App support significantly increased practice frequency but did not affect self-reported generalization or motivation. Practice was significantly predicted by System Usability Scale scores. Utility of reminders and instructions were good, but cepstral peak prominence feedback was considered useful to only a subset of participants. Conclusion Interactive mobile therapy support can significantly increase practice of resonant voice homework without influencing motivation.

Music Teachers' Usage of the Breathing and Voice Exercises in Song Teaching

Singing has a profound effect on the child's mental and emotional development and is directly related to the basic mental functions and physiological development. In this context, it is considered that voice training with the aim of using the voice correctly and effectively is necessary in the general music education and breathing and voice exercises have a particular importance for good and quality sound production in this process.With this idea, in this research, it was aimed to determine the situation of music teachers in Turkey on using breathing and voice exercises while singing in events held in the context of the general music education. According to findings obtained from the research, it has been determined that music teachers' usage of breathing and voice exercises differ according to the institution they are studying, the weekly hours of the music lesson and the inadequacy of the classroom equipment influenced the use of breathing and voice exercises by music teachers in song teaching and teachers felt that they were sufficient enough to accompany themselves to voice exercises.

The Use of Singing as a Therapeutic Modality Within the Context of Voice Therapy

The use of singing voice exercises as a therapeutic modality within the traditional voice therapy session as a means to facilitate functional improvement will be the focus of this article. The reader will be presented with a brief review of the literature as it pertains to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) guidelines and scope of practice. In addition, this article will provide insights for the speech-language pathologist (SLP) with respect to the clinical utility and functionality of singing voice exercises as a means to bridge the gap from vocal injury to restored vocal function. Relevant clinical examples for a variety of patient populations will be highlighted.