Translaryngeal Vibration for Hyperfunctional Voice Disorders (VIBRA-VOX)
Brief description
Voice disorders that last longer than a week affect approximately one in every 13 adults each year and lead to significant limitations in quality of life and communication skills. Functional voice disorders are among the most common causes of these voice problems and are usually treated with voice therapy. There are five different treatment approaches (indirect, symptomatic, physiological, psychogenic, and eclectic voice therapy) with numerous different treatment methods and programs, and device-based procedures are increasingly being used in modern voice therapy.
The current research project is investigating the effectiveness of an innovative device-based therapy method: local vibration, which is used in conjunction with evidence-based stretch-and-flow phonation voice therapy. With the help of the Novafon medical device, targeted vibrations are applied to the larynx area to reduce muscular tension and promote neuromotor control processes.
In a randomized controlled, single-blind study, all patients receive stretch-and-flow phonation voice therapy supplemented by local vibration at 50 Hz or a placebo local vibration. In addition, different treatment doses (5 vs. 8 sessions) and the effectiveness of this therapeutic approach are examined in a four-week follow-up. The evaluation is based on clinical voice parameters, which include both subjective (questionnaires such as the Voice Handicap Index) and objective measures (acoustic, aerodynamic, and endoscopic voice assessments).
The aim is to improve the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of voice therapy for functional voice disorders and to create a further scientifically sound basis for the clinical use of local vibration. In addition, the project offers practical research experience in the fields of speech therapy, communication science, and voice therapy.
Project duration: 09/2024 – 08/2027
Language: Englisch
Funding provider:
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
- National Institutes of Health (NIH, USA)
Funding volume: $373,594.00
Cooperation partners:
