Immediate effects of phonation into the tube protocol on the dysphonia severity index (DSI) and perceptual self-evaluation in future speech-language pathologists

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of the protocol of phonation into tube on DSI as an objective multi-parametric approach for measuring voice quality and perceptual self-evaluation in senior students participating in clinical training to become speech language pathologists (SLPs). Methods: Eleven future SLPs (7 females and 4 males) with an average age of 22.5 ± 1 performed the protocol of phonation into tube. The immediate effects of phonation into tube exercise program were evaluated by dysphonia severity index (DSI) and self-evaluation of perceived phonatory comfort. Results: After phonation in the tube exercise program, DSI and all its parameters significantly improved. Results of the paired t-test showed that MPT (P = 0.02), F-high (P = 0.001), i-low (P < 0.001), jitter (P < 0.001), and DSI (P < 0.001) before and after phonation in the tube program significantly changed, respectively. Self-evaluation after phonation in tube exercise program showed that most participants, i.e. 7 individuals (64%), reported improved phonatory comfort. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that phonation in tube exercise program may lead to an improvement of vocal quality and voice fatigue in future SLPs.