Technology-assisted Vocal Exercise for Older Adults

NCT03015870 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: IRB15130
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 26
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

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.

Conditions

Aging

Keywords

vocal dysfunction; voice; vocal folds; vocal aging

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Vocal acoustic function

  Dysphonia Severity Index: composite measure of maximum phonation time (s), highest fundamental frequency (Hz), lowest intensity (dB) and jitter (%).

  8-week change from baseline

• Vocal aerodynamic function

  Phonation threshold pressure (kPa)

  8-week change from baseline

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Program engagement and app usability

  8-week training period

• Training-induced Change in Voice-related Quality of Life

  8-week change from baseline

• Acceptability/feasibility of intervention

  Post-intervention (8-week follow-up)

• Respiratory Function

  8-week change from baseline

Study Arms (2)

Feedback

EXPERIMENTAL

Behavioral: Vocal exercise with real-time feedback.

Behavioral: Vocal exercise with real-time feedback

Recording

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Behavioral: Vocal exercise with recording

Behavioral: Vocal exercise with recording

Interventions

Vocal exercise with real-time feedback BEHAVIORAL

The feedback intervention will use iPads pre-installed with a PDF of vocal exercises for the full duration of the study and with an app which will provide tailored feedback regarding pitch, loudness, and duration of phonation during practice sessions.

Feedback

Vocal exercise with recording BEHAVIORAL

The recording intervention will use an iPad pre-installed with the PDF of vocal exercises for the full duration of the study, but no feedback app.Participants audio record self while performing vocal exercises

Recording

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

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

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, Illinois, 61820, United States

Location

Study Officials

• Aaron M Johnson, PhD

  University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 4, 2015
• First Posted: January 10, 2017
• Study Start: September 1, 2014
• Primary Completion: December 1, 2016
• Study Completion: December 1, 2016
• Last Updated: January 10, 2017

Record last verified: 2017-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share

Locations

US (1)