Deconstructing Voice Therapy: Towards Enhanced Communication Outcomes

Part of paid clinical trials in Atlanta, Georgia.

Sponsor
Emory University
Study ID
NCT07176988
Status
Recruiting
Apply to this trial

Conditions

  • Dysphonia
  • Primary Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD)

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
16 Years - 65 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Hierarchical method — OTHER
    Participants in the hierarchical version of Conversation Training Therapy (CTTH) will receive four weekly sessions of voice therapy. This approach gradually increases the difficulty of speaking tasks-from simple sounds to full conversations-based on the participant's progress. The therapy begins with basic awareness and speech sounds (e.g., consonant-vowel pairs), then progresses through words, phrases, and sentences, culminating in natural conversation. Each level must be completed with at least 80% accuracy before proceeding to the next one. The structure is modeled after traditional voice therapies like resonant voice and aims to help participants succeed early and reduce mental fatigue. Daily homework includes seven short (2.5-minute) practice sessions, aligned with prior research showing this is a realistic and effective amount of practice.
  • Non Hierarchical method — OTHER
    The therapy includes four weekly sessions and several key techniques: Clear Speech: Speaking clearly, like leaving an important voicemail. Awareness Training: Paying attention to how the voice sounds and feels in the mouth and face. Negative Practice: Switching between their "bad" voice and "good" therapy voice to recognize and improve differences. Embedded Gestures: Briefly holding certain speech sounds to reduce vocal strain and boost clarity. Prosody and Projection: Working on pitch, rhythm, and speaking louder through better technique. Participants practice these skills throughout the day using a mobile app to track their progress and record a weekly sample. Unlike hierarchical models, components in CTT can be introduced in any order based on individual needs, making it flexible and personalized

Study Details

This research study aims to evaluate the effect of treatment delivery method on voice outcomes over 12 months in people with a primary complaint of a voice problem, diagnosed with either non-phonotraumatic vocal hyperfunction, also known as primary muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) or phonotraumatic vocal hyperfunction, also known as benign vocal fold lesions (lesions). The secondary objectives are: * To evaluate acoustic correlates of clear speech and the relationship to vocal acoustic and patient-reported voice outcomes. * To determine the association between overall dysphonia outcomes and adoption of clear speech.

Key Dates

Start date
Sep 3, 2025
Status verified
Oct 2025
Primary completion
Apr 30, 2029
Completion
Apr 30, 2029

Study Design

Enrollment
120 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Non-Hierarchical Conversation Training Therapy (CTT)
  • Experimental: Hierarchical Conversation Training Therapy (CTT-H)

Primary Outcome Measure

Change in Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) score [ Time Frame: During intervention (4 week period of active treatment: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4) immediately post treatment ( week 5), 3month, 6 month and 12-months post treatment ]

Central Contacts

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
Emory Voice Center at Emory University Hospital MidtownAtlantaGeorgia30308
Amanda Gillespie, PhD
[email protected]
404-778-3381

Find similar trials in Atlanta, GA

By research site
Emory Voice Center at Emory University Hospital Midtown· Atlanta, GA

Related Studies