Objective. We aim to assess the quality of life of older individuals living in nursing homes. Methodology. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on institutionalized elderly individuals for over three months. The sample size of the study was 260 and Non-randomized convenience sampling was used. The study excluded participants with cognitive impairment, severe medical conditions, physical limitations, communication barriers, severe pain, recent surgery, acute illness, or psychiatric disorders. Ethical approval was obtained, and participants were given informed consent. The study took place in various nursing homes in Lahore in June and July 2023, for the analysis of data Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 22) was used, employing frequency distribution, mean, standard deviation, and correlation. Results. The Pearson Correlation coefficient of 0.459 suggests a significant positive correlation between these variables (p < 0.01). This correlation is evident in both directions: Quality of life (QoL) score to Mini Mental Scale and vice versa. Conclusion. While assessing the QoL in elderly inhabitants of nursing residences, cognitive impairment, and high Body mass index (BMI) appeared to influence the overall QoL.

Background. Role stress is linked to reduced work performance, diminished organizational commitment, increased intention to leave a job, and negative physical and mental health effects. Given the significant implications of role stress, researchers have sought to understand and quantify the concept. The Role Conflict and Ambiguity (RCA) scales are widely utilized in job stress research as the predominant measurement tools. They were originally conceptualized as consisting of two independent dimensions: role conflict and role ambiguity. Objective. This study advances the validation research of the RCA scales by exploring its dimensionality through Mokken Scale Analysis (MSA) and Classical Test Theory (CTT). Method. South African school teachers responded to the RCA scales, Maslach Burnout Inventory, and Teaching Satisfaction Scale. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and MSA were employed for data analysis. Results. The research determined that a second-order model provided the optimal fit, indicating that role ambiguity and role conflict are subordinate dimensions within the overarching construct of role stress. Conclusion. The findings from the CFA and supplementary bifactor indices reinforce the view that the instrument comprises 13 items, which assess a general dimension of role stress along with two sub-dimensions: role conflict and role ambiguity. Such specificity may lead to more effective strategies to mitigate role-related stress, thereby enhancing overall employee well-being, job satisfaction, and organizational productivity.

Background. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive technique that acts on the activity of the cerebral cortex employing electrical currents. Aim. The objective of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of rTMS on pain and quality of life in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathic pain. Method. Ten patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathic pain received 20 sessions of rTMS, consisting of 15 minutes of treatment repeated 5 times per week for four weeks (10 Hz, 20s, 30 trains with 81% intensity). Patients were evaluated using the Brief pain inventory (BPI) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy and neurotoxicity (FACT-GOG-NTX 13). Results. There were significant differences in BPI mean severity, interference score and FACT-GOG-NTX 13 (p<0,05). Conclusion. The pilot study results suggest that rTMS is potentially beneficial for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. rTMS over the M1 had an important reduction in pain severity, interference with daily activities, and quality of life scores. However, results should be taken with caution due to the small sample size, absence of a control group and short period of follow-up.

Introduction. The Short Health Anxiety Inventory is a commonly used tool for assessing health anxiety, but its psychometric properties and internal structure have not been examined in a Latin American Spanish-speaking population. This study aimed to establish the psychometric properties among Colombian university students. Method. The goodness of fit of four latent structure models of the Short Health Anxiety Inventory was tested using confirmatory factor analysis in a sample of 1004 Colombian university students. Results. The results show that the original model's structure does not fit well (CFI = .808; RMSEA = .074), and the reliability was .796 and .703 for the original two variables. Conclusions. The findings do not support the utilization of the Colombian version of the Short Health Anxiety Inventory by researchers and clinicians among Colombian university students.

In recent years, there have been international references to the vocal approach for the specific group of transgender individuals, although the Latin American literature is still very timid on this matter. The purpose of this article is to identify the current norms, statistics, and vocal approach towards transgender individuals in Chile and Argentina, considering the experience of two speech and language pathologists with more than twenty years of experience on voice therapy. Reflections were made on the transgender reality in these countries, the limitations in the implementation of the depathologization of the transgender group were outlined, some current and unreliable statistics were presented, some innovative actions in the public system were highlighted, and the lack of knowledge about the benefits of vocal work for transgender men and women was discussed. The identified aspects could benefit from multicenter research that strengthens speech therapy actions with this group, contributing to depathologization and positive approach.

Objectives. To present a simple form of vocal and breathing conditioning for voice professionals based on concepts from vocal science. The vocal conditioning program called Voice Athletes Conditioning uses the principles of exercise physiology to gradually improve vocal and respiratory overload to achieve endurance, power, and flexibility. Methods. Due to our personal experience with high voice users, we synthesized a vocal conditioning program (AVCP) that combines voice science, exercise physiology, sports science and physical therapy principles. This is an 8-week program of daily vocal and breathing exercises with overload enhancement each week using different types of breathing devices and semi-occluded vocal tract exercises, designed and developed according to the specific requirements and performance of the voice professional. Reflections. Professional voice users often experience episodes of vocal fatigue that can directly affect their performance and vocal health. As with physical training for athletes, voice exercises can also contribute to improving vocal conditioning, preventing voice disorders, as well as helping to obtain better performance, greater tolerance to fatigue and shorter recovery time. Conclusions. AVCP is an approach that considers the principles of muscle training aimed objectively at the respiratory and vocal muscles, carried out with a variety of breathing devices and specific vocal exercises in search of greater performance time, less physiological stress, and shorter recovery time in the professional use of the voice.

Objective. This study examines factors predicting self-reported voice symptoms in call center workers. Methods. Multivariate analysis and predictive modeling assess personal, work-related, acoustic, and behavioral factors. Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves are employed. Results. Age and sleep patterns impacted voice quality and effort, while workplace factors influenced symptom perception. Unhealthy vocal behaviors related to tense voice and increased effort, while hydration was protective. Voice acoustics showed diagnostic potential, supported by ROC data. These findings emphasize voice symptom complexity in call center professionals, necessitating comprehensive assessment. Limitations. This study recognizes its limitations, including a moderate-sized convenience sample and reliance on PROM metrics. Future research should incorporate more objective measures in addition to self-reports and acoustic analysis. Value. This research provides novel insights into the interplay of personal, occupational, and voice-related factors in developing voice symptoms among call center workers. Predictive modeling enhances risk assessment and understanding of individual susceptibility to voice disorders. Conclusion. Results show associations between various factors and self-reported voice symptoms. Protective factors include sleeping more than six hours and consistent hydration, whereas risk factors include working conditions, such as location and behaviors like smoking. Diagnostic models indicate good accuracy for some voice symptom PROMs, emphasizing the need for comprehensive models considering work factors, vocal behaviors, and acoustic parameters to understand voice issues complexity.

Purpose. To describe the acoustic characteristics of a classroom, voice quality, fatigue, and vocal load of university professors. Methods. Exploratory, observational, longitudinal, and descriptive study with a single group of participants, including vocal monitoring data over two weeks. Acoustic characterization of the classroom, perceptual-auditory evaluation, and acoustic analysis of voice samples were conducted before and after classes. Vocal dosimetry was performed during classes, and the Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI) was assessed at the beginning of each week. Descriptive analysis of the findings was conducted, and randomization test was performed to verify the internal reliability of the judge. Results. All participants reported speaking loudly in the classroom, with the majority reporting vocal changes in the past six months, and only one participant reported a current vocal change. The classroom had acoustical measures and estimations that deviated from established standards. The professors used high vocal intensities during classes. After the classes, an increase in the absolute values of the aggregated data for CAPE-V, jitter, and fundamental frequency was found, varying within the range of normality. Furthermore, there was an observed increase in both post-lesson intensity and VFI when comparing the two-week period. Conclusions. Vocal intensities and VFI were possibly impacted by the acoustics of the classroom. The increase in average VFI between the weeks may be attributed to a cumulative fatigue sensation. Further research with a larger number of participants and in acoustically conditioned classrooms is suggested in order to evaluate collective intervention proposals aimed at reducing the vocal load on teachers.

Introduction. In vocal production models employing spring-mass-damper frameworks, precision in determining damping coefficients that align with physiological vocal fold characteristics is crucial, accounting for potential variations in the representation of viscosity-elasticity properties. Objective. This study aims to conduct a parametric fitting of a vocal production model based on a mass-spring-damper system incorporating subglottic pressure interaction, with the purpose of accurately modeling the collision forces exerted by vocal folds during phonation. Method. A metaheuristic search algorithm was employed for parametric synthesis. The algorithm was applied to elasticity coefficients c1 and c2, as well as damping coefficients ε1 and ε2, which directly correlate with the mass matrices of the model. This facilitates the adjustment of fold composition to achieve desired physiological behavior. Results. The vocal system's behavior for each simulation cycle was compared to a predefined standard under normal conditions. The algorithm determined the simulation endpoint by evaluating discrepancies between key features of the obtained signals and the desired ones. Conclusion. Parametric fitting enabled the approximation of physiological vocal production behavior, providing estimates of the impact forces experienced by vocal folds during phonation.