Abstract
To investigate vocal quality variability after applying tongue trills associated with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on the larynx of women with normal laryngeal function. Additionally, to verify the effect of this technique over time on voice quality. Participants were 40 women (average 23.4 years) without vocal complaints. The procedure involved tongue trills with or without TENS for 3 minutes, rest and repeating the technique for another 2 minutes. The participants' voices were recorded before (Pre), after three minutes (Post 3min) and after two additional minutes (Post 5min) applying the technique. TENS with two electrodes was used on the thyroid cartilage. Self-assessment, acoustic and perceptual analysis were performed. When comparing tongue trills in isolation and associated with TENS, a greater sense of stability in phonation (self-assessment) and improvement in voice quality (perceptual evaluation) was observed in the combination technique. There was no statistical difference in acoustics findings between tongue trills in isolation and associated with TENS. When comparing the time effect of tongue trills with TENS in self-assessment there was a perception of less muscle tension (3min) and greater comfort during phonation (5 min); in the acoustic analysis, there was an increase of F0 (3 and 5 min) and intensity (5 min) when compared to Pre-moment; in the perceptual evaluation, better voice quality (3min). Comparing tongue trills in isolation and associated with TENS, there were changes in the comfort and muscle tension perception, as well as in vocal quality. On the other hand, tongue trills associated with TENS performed in 3 or 5 minutes resulted in beneficial effects on the voice identified in the assessments.
Highlights
The understanding of the effect caused by vocal exercises on vocal quality has been the subject of many research studies which look into various vocal techniques, employing them in isolation(1-6) or joining techniques in the therapeutic process(7-10); in addition to comparing the effect of the application of different techniques(11-13) or in programs(14,15)
There was a preference for tongue trills associated with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) when performed for 3 minutes (Table 1)
When comparing the results of the study, in the self-assessment there was the sensation of greater stability in the voice production at 5 minutes and improved gain in vocal quality at 3 minutes in the auditory-perceptual evaluation when the tongue trill was associated with TENS
Summary
The understanding of the effect caused by vocal exercises on vocal quality has been the subject of many research studies which look into various vocal techniques, employing them in isolation(1-6) or joining techniques in the therapeutic process(7-10); in addition to comparing the effect of the application of different techniques(11-13) or in programs(14,15). The tongue trills is reported in several studies for both the treatment of dysphonia, as well as vocal warm-ups(18). Its objective is to save energy and increase phonation efficiency(3,17) and several authors pointed out the immediate effect of tongue trills(1,3,6). High-speed kymographs showed normal contact in the vocal folds after the use of tongue trills(1) and when produced between 3 and 5 minutes it led to improved vocal quality(3), especially in women(6). One study(6) pointed out that the best duration for tongue trills was 3 minutes for women and 5 minutes for men
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