MedPath

Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on the Voice

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Voice Disturbance
Voice and Resonance Disorders
Interventions
Device: Transcranial direct current stimulation
Registration Number
NCT06544122
Lead Sponsor
Universidade Federal de Pernambuco
Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to verify the effect on the voice of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in vocally healthy non-singers. The main question it aims to answer is: What is the brain area in which tDCS promotes better vocal performance in vocally healthy individuals? Each participants received anodal tDCS applied at an intensity of 2 mA for a duration of 20 minutes for tDCS stimulations in different areas with a 7-day washout period between stimulations. Vocal assessments was conducted before and after the intervention. The targeted places were the primary motor cortex (M1), primary somatosensory cortex (S1), Cerebellum, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC).

Detailed Description

Recently, non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques , including transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), have been employed to enhance vocal skills. tDCS can be used to temporarily and reversibly modulate brain functions and is an increasingly popular tool for investigating the relationships between the brain and behavior . The aim of the present study is investigate the effect of tDCS applied to different areas on the voice of vocally healthy non-singers. This is a randomized crossover clinical trial, approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Pernambuco, number 5,758,856. Vocally healthy people from the city of Recife and its Metropolitan Region, aged between 18 and 45 years, participated in the study.Each participant underwent four tDCS stimulations in different areas with a 7-day washout period between stimulations to study their vocal assessments before and after tDCS. The targeted places were the primary motor cortex (M1), primary somatosensory cortex (S1), Cerebellum, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). All participants were subjected to voice acessments analysis immediately before and after tDCS application in each area. Data normality will be analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, rejecting the hypothesis of normal distribution when p\<0.05. ANOVA will be applied to design repeated measures in case of normality and in the existence of asymmetric data, Friedmann's ANOVA will be used for repeated measures. For the comparison of values before and after application of the technique and between modes of execution of the technique (with and without non-invasive neuromodulation), tests will be applied for related and independent samples, respectively, with a significance level of 5%

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
16
Inclusion Criteria
  • Non-singers with healthy voice
Exclusion Criteria
  • Smokers
  • Those who present signs and symptoms of laryngeal, pharyngeal or respiratory diseases at the time of collection
  • Volunteers who make regular use of neuroactive drugs
  • Those who have metallic implants or a pacemaker
  • People that have any history of seizures or epilepsy

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Effects on voice of M1 tDCS in healthy voice volunteersTranscranial direct current stimulationThe aim of this arm is to verify the effect on the voice of anodal tDCS M1 larynx target.
Effects on voice of cerebellum tDCS in vocally health volunteersTranscranial direct current stimulationThe aim of this arm is to verify the effect on the voice of anodal tDCS cerebellum target.
Effects on voice of S1 tDCS in vocally health volunteersTranscranial direct current stimulationThe aim of this arm is to verify the effect on the voice of anodal tDCS S1 larynx target.
Effects on voice of PFDLC tDCS in vocally health volunteersTranscranial direct current stimulationThe aim of this arm is to verify the effect on the voice of anodal tDCS PFDLC target.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Vocal range profilethrough study completion, an average of 6 months

Min f0 (Hz) Max f0 (Hz) Ext f0 (Hz) Ext (ST) Mín int (dB) Max int (dB) Area (%)

Min f0 (Hz) Max f0 (Hz) Ext f0 (Hz) Ext (ST) Mín int (dB) Max int (dB) Area (%)

Minimum f0 (Hz); Maximum f0 (Hz); Extension f0; Extension in St; Minimum intensity (dB); Maximum intensity (dB); Area (%)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Voicethrough study completion, an average of 6 months

Jitter (%); Shimmer (%); Irregularity; GNE; DAI

Vocal effortthrough study completion, an average of 6 months

The Adapted Borg CR10 for Vocal Effort Ratings (BR) maintained a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 means "no vocal effort at all", and 10 "maximum vocal effort". First, the participants have to reproduce a note played on a virtual keyboard (3 tones below their maximum glissando frequency) and sustain the note while counting from 21 to 30, immediately afterwards, the participants answered the Adapted Borg CR10 for Vocal Effort Ratings (BR).

Laryngeal diadochokinesisthrough study completion, an average of 6 months

Change in the task of producing vowels separately, with rapid repetition of each vowel as quickly as possible for eight seconds

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Laboratório de Neurociência Aplicada

🇧🇷

Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath