Voice quality of psychological origin

Effects of trace element dietary supplements on voice parameters and some physiological and psychological parameters related to stress

Trace elements, often used as dietary supplements, are widely accessible without prescription at pharmacies. Pronutri has pioneered Nutripuncture®, a methodology that utilizes orally consumed trace elements to elicit a physiological response akin to that of acupuncture. Pronutri has empirically observed that the user's voice becomes deeper following an exclusive ingestion procedure. Given that alterations in vocal characteristics are often linked to stress, the Pronutri researchers postulated that the pills have the capacity to promptly alleviate stress upon ingestion. Nevertheless, there is a lack of scientific substantiation about the impact of these supplements on voice (or stress) indicators. The aim of this research was to determine whether there is a consistent impact of trace element ingestion on vocal characteristics, namely the fundamental frequency of the voice, as well as other physiological and psychological stress measurements. In order to achieve this objective, we have devised a unique methodology to examine this hypothesis. This involves conducting a monocentric crossover, randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial with a sample size of 43 healthy individuals. This study demonstrates that compared to placebo tablets, consuming 10 metal traces containing tablets at once is enough to cause noticeable changes in the vocal spectrum in the direction of an improvement of the voice timbre "richness", and a decrease in the occurrence of spontaneous electrodermal activity, suggesting a stress reduction. However, there were no significant changes observed in the other parameters that were tested. These parameters include vocal measures such as voice frequency F0, standard deviation from this frequency, jitter, and shimmer. Additionally, physiological measures such as respiratory rate, oxygenation and heart rate variability parameters, as well as psychological measures such as self-assessment analogic scales of anxiety, stress, muscle tension, and nervous tension, did not show any significant changes. Ultimately, our research revealed that the ingestion of 10 trace elements pills may promptly elicit a targeted impact on both vocal spectrum and electrodermal activity. Despite the limited impact, these findings warrant more research to explore the long-term effects of trace elements on voice and stress reduction.

Efficacy of Kinesio taping on Mutational Falsetto: A Double Blind, Randomized, Sham-controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of Kinesio taping on male patients with mutational falsetto undergoing voice therapy.

DESIGN

Double blind, randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial.

PARTICIPANTS

Interviews were conducted with thirty seven mutational falsetto patients. Included 32 participants were randomized and divided into two groups. Two were dropped out due to irregular attendance, 30 participants were included in final analysis.

INTERVENTIONS

The study group was treated with voice therapy and applications of three different therapeutic Kinesio taping techniques with seven Kinesio tapes four times over two weeks, and the control group was treated with voice therapy, and applied to sham Kinesio taping.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The values of fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, noise-harmonic ratio, maximum phonation time, Voice Handicap Index-10 scores, and Grade-Roughness-Breathiness-Asthenia-Strain Scale scores were recorded at the baseline and after the two weeks.

RESULTS

There were significant differences between the study group and the control group with respect to the values of fundamental frequency (P = 0.011), jitter (P = 0.041), shimmer (P = 0.036), noise-harmonic ratio (P = 0.003), maximum phonation time (P ≤ 0.001), Voice Handicap Index-10 scores (P = 0.036), and Grade-Roughness-Breathiness-Asthenia-Strain Scale scores (P = 0.007; P ≤ 0.021; P = 0.022; P = 0.002; P = 0.021, respectively) at the end of the study.

CONCLUSIONS

The study demonstrated that Kinesio taping with voice therapy is an efficient and effective technique for treating mutational falsetto patients.