Technology-assisted Vocal Exercise for Older Adults

NCT ID: NCT03015870

Last Updated: 2017-01-10

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 26 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2014-09-30
• Study Completion Date: 2016-12-31

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.

Detailed Description

All participants will receive an iPad pre-loaded with an instructional PDF containing written instructions and embedded recorded audio prompts to assist with the delivery of an established vocal training paradigm, the Vocal Function Exercises (VFE) developed by Stemple.22 The VFE involves a set of four exercises focusing on extending maximum phonation time, increasing pitch range, and, therefore, improving coordination of the respiratory, phonatory, and resonatory systems during voicing. The iPads will be collected from the participants at the conclusion of the study at the post-intervention testing sessions.

Participants will be randomly assigned to either an experimental feedback group or active control no feedback group. Participants in the feedback group will receive iPads pre-loaded with Sonneta Voice Monitor app (MintLeaf Software) which will provide tailored feedback regarding pitch, loudness, and duration of phonation during practice sessions. The no feedback group will be provided with an iPad pre-installed with the PDF for the full duration of the study, but no feedback app.

Prior to and separate from the individual baseline testing appointments (described below), one group-based introductory session will be held to orient all participants to iPad controls (i.e., navigation, volume, recordings), as well as training specific to their assigned condition (how to use the pdf or app). Participants will complete a progressive weekly training schedule (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7, 7, & 7 days per week) 2x per day for 30-minute sessions over 8 weeks. The first training session will be monitored to provide technical assistance and ensure fidelity of the training protocol. Undergraduate research assistants from Dr. Johnson's lab will contact each participant via telephone on a weekly basis to provide technical assistance and confirm adherence to the training schedule.

Conditions

Aging

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Feedback

Behavioral: Vocal exercise with real-time feedback.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Vocal exercise with real-time feedback

Intervention Type: 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.

Recording

Behavioral: Vocal exercise with recording

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Vocal exercise with recording

Intervention Type: 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

Interventions

Vocal exercise with real-time feedback

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.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Vocal exercise with recording

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

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

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

Exclusion Criteria

• 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

• Minimum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Aaron M Johnson, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Locations

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, Illinois, United States

Countries

United States

Other Identifiers

IRB15130

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id