Immediate effect of transcutaneous electrical nervous stimulation and semi-occluded vocal tract exercises in teachers

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the immediate effects of transcutaneous electrical nervous stimulation (TENS) and semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT) exercises on acoustic parameters in teachers in the city of Chillán. The study was based on a quantitative methodological perspective, with a comparative descriptive scope and a quasi-experimental longitudinal design. The sample was composed of 30 teachers belonging to the Reyes de España School, who were evaluated using Praat software, pre and post treatment. The teachers were divided into 2 groups; control group (semi-occluded vocal tract therapy) and experimental group (semi-occluded vocal tract therapy and electrostimulation) who were treated during a single session of approximately 10min. The values of the acoustic parameters were then compared [Jitter, Shimmer, Harmonic to Noise Ratio (HNR) and Maximum Phonation Time (MPT)] between both groups. The acoustic analysis showed statistically significant post-intervention changes in all the parameters evaluated for both study groups, however, in the experimental group the means showed a greater difference, with a p value less than .01. Semi-occluded vocal tract exercises in resonance tubes combined with TENS have immediate positive effects on TMF, Jitter, Shimmer and HNR acoustic parameters in teachers without vocal pathology.