The Accent Method: Behavior readjustment voice therapy

Abstract

The place of voice therapy in the management of voice disorders is highlighted, with a summary of the available categories of behavior readjustment voice therapy methods. Most voice therapy programs aim at 2 major targets, voice hygiene advice and correction of the faulty vocal technique. The Accent Method (AM) tackles these two targets in a holistic manner, regarding both the vocal function as well as the communicative behavior. The AM rests on 3 main principles; 1) Optimal abdomino-diaphragmatic breath support, 2) Rhythmic play of accentuated relaxed vowels with progressive carry over to connected speech, 3) Dynamic rhythmic body and arm movements. The technical aspects can be divided into the following groups of exercises: Respiratory, phonatory, and articulatory, given in a hierarchy of escalating difficulty. Facilitatory pedagological recommendations are presented, with guidelines for termination of the therapy and the clinical indications of the AM. Efficacy studies are discussed. Finally an endeavor to explain the rationale and mode of action of the AM is made.