Voice Outcomes of Intensive Voice Feminization Therapy for Transgender Women Delivered via Telepractice: Pilot Study

Abstract

ObjectivesThe aim of this pilot study is to investigate the efficacy of an intensive voice feminization therapy program provided via telepractice. MethodsA total of 10 transgender women participated, with 9 completing the therapy program. All participants received 12 sessions of resonant voice therapy in combination with Vocal Function Exercises and voice hygiene, which were completed within four weeks. Acoustic and aerodynamic measures, auditory-perceptual ratings, Trans Woman Voice Questionnaire (TWVQ) and self-rated voice femininity were conducted before and after treatment. ResultsStatistical analysis showed significant improvements in acoustic measures such as fundamental frequency and semitones, TWVQ scores, auditory-perceptual ratings and self-perception of voice femininity after intensive voice therapy. ConclusionsThis study provides preliminary evidence to suggest that transgender women can benefit from intensive voice therapy when provided via telepractice, with a more feminine voice and better self-perceived voice-related quality of life. The limitations of this study were that the single-group study design lacked a control group for comparison, and the small sample size. Therefore, a randomize controlled and follow-up study with a larger sample size, exploring the effects of different treatment modalities on transgender women's voices is warranted.