Technology-assisted Vocal Exercise for Older Adults

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Aging
• Interventions: Behavioral: Vocal exercise with real-time feedback; Behavioral: Vocal exercise with recording

• Registration Number: NCT03015870
• Lead Sponsor: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Brief Summary

Many detrimental effects of aging have been identified in the human voice, most of which are accepted as "normal". However, age-related vocal deficits disrupt communication and decrease quality of life in older adults and may be preventable and/or treatable through behavioral interventions. The objective of this proposal is to determine the effectiveness of a technology-assisted vocal exercise intervention on the vocal function and quality of life in older adults. Forty older adults (65+) will be recruited and randomly assigned to either an app or PDF-delivered vocal training intervention lasting 8 weeks. Pre- and post-testing involving vocal functioning assessments, as well as mobility, psychosocial, and cognitive functioning assessments will be conducted. This interdisciplinary project will enhance the investigators understanding of physical, mental, and social health-related quality of life among older adults.

Detailed Description

All participants will receive an iPad pre-loaded with an instructional PDF containing written instructions and embedded recorded audio prompts to assist with the delivery of an established vocal training paradigm, the Vocal Function Exercises (VFE) developed by Stemple.22 The VFE involves a set of four exercises focusing on extending maximum phonation time, increasing pitch range, and, therefore, improving coordination of the respiratory, phonatory, and resonatory systems during voicing. The iPads will be collected from the participants at the conclusion of the study at the post-intervention testing sessions.

Participants will be randomly assigned to either an experimental feedback group or active control no feedback group. Participants in the feedback group will receive iPads pre-loaded with Sonneta Voice Monitor app (MintLeaf Software) which will provide tailored feedback regarding pitch, loudness, and duration of phonation during practice sessions. The no feedback group will be provided with an iPad pre-installed with the PDF for the full duration of the study, but no feedback app.

Prior to and separate from the individual baseline testing appointments (described below), one group-based introductory session will be held to orient all participants to iPad controls (i.e., navigation, volume, recordings), as well as training specific to their assigned condition (how to use the pdf or app). Participants will complete a progressive weekly training schedule (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7, 7, \& 7 days per week) 2x per day for 30-minute sessions over 8 weeks. The first training session will be monitored to provide technical assistance and ensure fidelity of the training protocol. Undergraduate research assistants from Dr. Johnson's lab will contact each participant via telephone on a weekly basis to provide technical assistance and confirm adherence to the training schedule.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2014-09
• Study First Submitted: 2015-11-04
• Primary Completion: 2016-12
• Study Completion: 2016-12
• Status Verified: 2017-01
• Study First Submitted QC: 2017-01-06
• Last Update Submitted: 2017-01-06
• Study First Posted: 2017-01-10
• Last Update Posted: 2017-01-10

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 26

Inclusion Criteria

• Age 65 years or older
• Vision at least 20/40 with glass or contacts

Exclusion Criteria

• Moderate-severe cognitive impairment
• Currently engaged in regular daily singing practice
• Currently involved in a research study involving exercise, memory, or vocal strengthening
• Currently being treated for a voice disorder by either an ENT or SLP

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Feedback	Vocal exercise with real-time feedback	Behavioral: Vocal exercise with real-time feedback.
Recording	Vocal exercise with recording	Behavioral: Vocal exercise with recording

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Vocal acoustic function	8-week change from baseline	Dysphonia Severity Index: composite measure of maximum phonation time (s), highest fundamental frequency (Hz), lowest intensity (dB) and jitter (%).
Vocal aerodynamic function	8-week change from baseline	Phonation threshold pressure (kPa)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Training-induced Change in Voice-related Quality of Life	8-week change from baseline	The London Chest Activity of Daily Living Scale will be used to assess theoretical and mechanistic components of the vocal exercise intervention. Un-weight composite scores will be calculated at each assessment.
Acceptability/feasibility of intervention	Post-intervention (8-week follow-up)	Self-reported level of agreement (1 strongly disagree, 7 strongly agree) with three separate statements ("I enjoyed the program I used to exercise my voice," "I will continue to use the training techniques in the future," and "I believe my voice improved as a result of my participation in this program")
Program engagement and app usability	8-week training period	Assessed via self-report (and verified via objective data) weekly during intervention and computed as an un-weighted composite score reflecting 8-week program adherence and ease of use.
Respiratory Function	8-week change from baseline	FEV1 - forced expiratory volume in 1 second (Liters)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; 🇺🇸 Champaign, Illinois, United States