Relation of Pelvic Floor Muscle and Phonation

NCT07111650 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: PFM_PHONATION
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 42
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

The trunk is divided into the thoracic cavity above and the abdominal cavity below by the thoracic diaphragm. The vocal cords are located in the upper region of the thoracic cavity, in the area between the folds known as the larynx. The pelvic floor is a multilayered muscular sling that is located in the lower part of the abdomen. There is a relationship between the pelvic floor and the larynx through fascial connections along the trunk . Pelvic floor muscles (PFM) play an important role in bowel and bladder continence, sexual function, lift abdominal and pelvic organs, regulation of intra-abdominal pressure and maintenance of respiration and posture. The larynx has many important functions such as protecting the airway, facilitating natural breathing, producing phonation or sound, increasing intra-abdominal pressure during straining, defecation, micturition and labour. Structural integrity and functionality between the respiratory, laryngeal or phonation levels and the resonant cavities are essential for correct voice production. The pelvic floor, thoracic diaphragm and larynx move simultaneously caudally when inhaling and cranially when exhaling, like a piston. Voice is produced by the larynx during expiration when air passes through the trachea, setting the vocal cords into vibration. The tension of the vocal cords and sufficient subglottal pressure are essential for phonation. Additionally, the abdominal muscles play a crucial role in controlling the expiratory phase of speech by counteracting the recoil pressures of the lungs. This allows for the production of longer utterances and the maintenance of subglottal pressure throughout phonation.Voice hygiene and proper breathing techniques are crucial for both professional and non-professional voice users such as singers, academics, call center employees, and religious leaders. Healthy sound production requires PFM stability, balanced abdominal muscles, and effective respiratory control

Conditions

Healthy

Keywords

acoustic analysis; Electromyography; Pelvic floor muscle; phonation; Voice

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Pelvic floor muscle activity

  Pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance were assessed using the Neurotrac® Myoplus 2 Pro two-channel EMG Biofeedback device. One channel's electrodes were placed in the anal region to assess the pelvic floor muscles, while the other channel's electrodes were placed on the transversus abdominis, with a reference electrode located on the thigh. Initially, the participant was instructed on how to contract and relax the pelvic floor muscles, followed by a trial period.

  Baseline

• Acoustic Voice Analysis

  Both the recordings and the analyses were performed in the same laboratory using the Kay Elemetrics Computerised Speech Lab (CSL) KayPENTAX Model 4500 system. Recordings were made using a KayPENTAX CSL Model 4500 unit and a Shure SM48 microphone connected to a desktop computer. Participants were seated on a chair in front of the computer, and the microphone was positioned at a 45-degree angle, 10 cm away from the speaker's mouth. All recordings were saved in the CSL programme as sound files (nsp) with a sampling rate of 44.01 kHz and a resolution of 24-bits. Data analyses were performed on the same computer and device. Participants were instructed to produce a natural and relaxed /a/ phonation without straining or raising their voice, similar to how they normally speak in daily life.

  Baseline

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Maximum phonation time

  Baseline

• s/z ratio

  Baseline

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 40 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Healthy volunteers

You may qualify if:

• Being volunteer
• Age between 18- 40 years

You may not qualify if:

• urological, gynecological, respiratory, or vocal disorders,
• cognitive or perceptual problems,
• being pregnant,
• being in the premenstrual or menstrual phase on the evaluation day,
• having allergies, cold, or flu on the evaluation day,
• perineal sensitivity,
• any surgery in the abdominal, stomach, respiratory, laryngeal, and/or head and neck regions,
• vocal complaints for at least 15 days,
• hearing complaints.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kutahya Health Sciences University: lead
• Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit: collaborator

Study Sites (2)

Kutahya Health Sciences University

Kütahya, Merkez, 43020, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Kutahya Helath Sciences University- Health Sciences Faculty

Kütahya, Merkez, 43020, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 25, 2025
• First Posted: August 8, 2025
• Study Start: May 1, 2023
• Primary Completion: May 30, 2024
• Study Completion: May 30, 2024
• Last Updated: August 8, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-04

Locations

TU (2)