Efficacy of Kinesio taping on Mutational Falsetto: A Double Blind, Randomized, Sham-controlled Trial

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the efficacy of Kinesio taping on male patients with mutational falsetto undergoing voice therapy. DesignDouble blind, randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial. ParticipantsInterviews were conducted with thirty seven mutational falsetto patients. Included 32 participants were randomized and divided into two groups. Two were dropped out due to irregular attendance, 30 participants were included in final analysis. InterventionsThe study group was treated with voice therapy and applications of three different therapeutic Kinesio taping techniques with seven Kinesio tapes four times over two weeks, and the control group was treated with voice therapy, and applied to sham Kinesio taping. Outcome measuresThe values of fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, noise-harmonic ratio, maximum phonation time, Voice Handicap Index-10 scores, and Grade–Roughness–Breathiness–Asthenia–Strain Scale scores were recorded at the baseline and after the two weeks. ResultsThere were significant differences between the study group and the control group with respect to the values of fundamental frequency (P = 0.011), jitter (P = 0.041), shimmer (P = 0.036), noise-harmonic ratio (P = 0.003), maximum phonation time (P ≤ 0.001), Voice Handicap Index-10 scores (P = 0.036), and Grade–Roughness–Breathiness–Asthenia–Strain Scale scores (P = 0.007; P ≤ 0.021; P = 0.022; P = 0.002; P = 0.021, respectively) at the end of the study. ConclusionsThe study demonstrated that Kinesio taping with voice therapy is an efficient and effective technique for treating mutational falsetto patients.