Investigating the Efficacy of Vocal Function Exercises in the Treatment of Voice Problems in Adults Treated With Radiation Therapy for Laryngeal Cancers
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- Enrollment
- 12
- Locations
- 2
- Primary Endpoint
- Voice production
Study Overview
Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to determine if the systematic practice of Vocal Function Exercises (VFE) improves selected measures of voice production in participants who have previously been irradiated for early glottic cancers compared to participants who receive the present standard of care, namely, vocal hygiene counseling. It is hypothesized that a prescriptive vocal exercise program (VFE) will improve the voice production of individuals who have been previously treated for laryngeal cancers when compared to participants who receive vocal hygiene alone.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Supportive Care
- Masking
- Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to — (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- •Hearing level and cognitive ability to follow test directions
- •Laryngeal cancer
- •Radiation Therapy completed >= 6 months
- •Deemed disease free by the treating physician
- •Subjects have to be willing to attend weekly voice therapy sessions
Exclusion Criteria
- •Adjuvant treatment: laser or any surgical intervention
- •Neurological or cognitive impairment
- •Hearing levels that interfere with following test instruction
- •Vocal fold paralysis
Arms & Interventions
Vocal Function Exercises
Vocal Function Exercises
Intervention: Vocal Function Exercises (Procedure)
Vocal hygiene
Vocal hygiene
Intervention: Vocal Hygiene (Procedure)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Voice production
Time Frame: 6 weeks
Voice Handicap Index, a validated self- assessment tool was used as the primary outcome measure. A score of 0 indicates no handicap, and a score of 120 indicates complete impairment. Data will be presented as pre and post treatment score (pre and post 6 weeks of therapy).
Secondary Outcomes
No secondary outcomes reported
Investigators
Vrushali Angadi
Principal Investigator
University of Kentucky