Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0702-3852

Date Available

4-23-2024

Year of Publication

2024

Degree Name

Master of Science in Communication Sciences & Disorders (MSCSD)

Document Type

Master's Thesis

College

Health Sciences

Department/School/Program

Communication Sciences & Disorders

First Advisor

Debra Suiter, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, ASHA-F

Abstract

In a 2019 study analyzing dysphonic patients in relation to coexisting dysphagia, approximately 11.8% of clients receiving treatment for voice disorders reported difficulty swallowing. However, the literature exploring the use of voice exercises to improve swallow function is limited to a small amount of voice treatment approaches, which does not reflect the wide range of evidence-based treatment approaches that may be prescribed for treatment of one’s voice complaints. This project proposes a descriptive study that would identify if completion of prescribed voice therapy exercises has implications on swallowing function in clients with co-occurring voice and swallow impairments. A pilot study framework – which includes pre- and post- treatment acoustic analysis, stroboscopy, aerodynamic analysis, FEES, EAT-10, and VHI – is proposed based on the theoretical basis of similarities between the areas voice and swallowing. By completing a post-hoc analysis of voice and swallow assessment measures on voice and swallow assessments, one can explore post-treatment improvements in voice that can be associated with consequent improvements in swallow function. Vocal exercises are developed to coordinate the subsystems of voice production, improve vocal fold adduction, and strengthen the laryngeal musculature; given that voice therapy tasks effectively facilitate these changes within voice production, this study expects to see crossover effects of these improvements into the airway protection and airway clearance mechanisms involved in swallow function.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2024.212

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