Aerodynamic, Electroglottographic, and Acoustic Outcomes after Tube Phonation in Water in Elderly Subjects

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed at observing the influence of tube phonation into water on objective voice characteristics in elderly subjects. Methods: Thirty elderly subjects with presbyphonia were randomly assigned to one of two voice exercise groups: (1) voice exercises with water resistance therapy at 4 and 8 cm of water depth (experimental group), and (2) voice exercises with vowel [a:]. Aerodynamic, electroglottographic, and acoustic voice assessments were conducted before and after exercises. Results: The experimental group showed a significant increase in contact quotient, subglottic pressure (P_sub), glottal resistance, and sound pressure level (SPL) when comparing the pre-post 8 cm and the post 4 cm-post 8 cm conditions. No significant differences were found for the control group. Moreover, significant differences for all variables (except for glottal airflow) when comparing condition post (for the control group) and condition post 8 cm (for the experimental group) were found. Conclusion: Tube phonation into water might improve vocal function in the geriatric population. This semioccluded vocal tract exercise seems to promote an increase in P_sub and vocal fold adduction immediately after exercise. This in turn might cause an increase in SPL. The effect should become manifest when a deep level of submersion (e.g., 8 cm water) is used. Shallower submersion produced negligible or no effects.