Use of Portable Digital Media Players Increases Patient Motivation and Practice in Voice Therapy

Abstract

There are many documented barriers to successful adherence to voice therapy. However, methods for facilitating adherence are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to determine if patient adherence and motivation for practice could be improved by providing patients with practice support between sessions using mobile treatment videos. Thirteen voice therapy participants were provided with portable media players containing videos of voice exercises exemplified by their therapists and themselves. A randomized crossover design of two conditions was used: (1) standard of care voice therapy where participants were provided with written homework descriptions; and (2) video-enhanced voice therapy where participants received a portable digital media player with clinician and self-videos. The duration of each condition was 1 week. Self-report measures of practice frequency and aspects of motivation were obtained at the end of each session. Practice of voice exercises was significantly greater in the video-enhanced voice therapy condition than in the standard of care "written" condition (P<0.05). Three aspects of participant motivation for practice-overall commitment to practice, importance of practice, and confidence in the ability to practice were also significantly greater after video-enhanced condition than after standard of care condition. These results support the use of video examples and portable digital media players in voice therapy for individuals who are comfortable using such technology.