Comparison of the effects of Voice Massage and voice hygiene lecture on self-reported vocal well-being and acoustic and perceptual speech parameters in female teachers.

Leppänen Kirsti, Laukkanen Anne-Maria, Ilomäki Irma, Vilkman Erkki 

This study compared the effects of Voice Massage (VM) and voice hygiene lecture (VHL) on acoustic and perceptual speech parameters and voice related sensations in 59 female teachers. VM is a Finnish method for achieving active relaxation of vocal muscles. The main procedure is manipulation of voice production related muscles. All subjects were given VHL (3h). Half of them were randomly assigned to VM group. VM was given five times in one hour sessions, with an interval of 1-2 weeks. In the beginning and end of the autumn term, before and after a working day (1) a one minute text reading sample was recorded in habitual loudness and loudly, (2) a prolonged phonation on [a:] was recorded at habitual speaking pitch, and (3) a questionnaire about voice quality, ease or difficulty of phonation and tiredness of throat was filled in. The samples were analyzed for average fundamental frequency (F0), sound pressure level (SPL) and phonation type reflecting alpha ratio [SPL (1-5 kHz)- SPL (50 Hz- 1 kHz)] and the vowel samples were analyzed for jitter and shimmer. Text reading samples in habitual loudness were also perceptually evaluated by three speech trainers.
In both groups various working day related changes were registered in the acoustic and perceptual parameters and subjective sensations. In the end of the term, for the VM group SPL and alpha-ratio increased less during the working day and perceived tightness of voice was lower. This may suggest a more relaxed phonation type after the VM treatment.

Key Words: Voice Massage, voice hygiene lecture, F0, SPL, spectrum, jitter, shimmer

Leppänen Kirsti ⁽¹, Laukkanen Anne-Maria ⁽¹, Ilomäki Irma ⁽¹, Vilkman Erkki ⁽²
1) Department of Speech Communication and Voice Research, University of Tampere, Tampere
2) Phoniatric Clinic, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki Finland
Kirsti.Leppanen@uta.fi
http://www.voicemassage.fi