Authors: Rangarathnam B, McCullough GH, Pickett H, Zraick RI, Tulunay-Ugur O, McCullough KC
Title: Telepractice Versus In-Person Delivery of Voice Therapy for Primary Muscle Tension Dysphonia
Source: American Journal of Speech Language Pathology 2015 24(3): 386-399
Year: 2015
Research Design: Randomised Controlled Trial
Rating Score: 03/10
This rating is confirmed
Eligibility specified - Y
Random allocation - Y
Concealed allocation - N
Baseline comparability - N
Blind subjects - N
Blind therapists - N
Blind assessors - N
Adequate follow-up - Y
Intention-to-treat analysis - N
Between-group comparisons - Y
Point estimates and variability - N
Abstract:

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of telepractice for delivering flow phonation exercises to persons with primary muscle tension dysphonia (MTD). Method: Fourteen participants with a diagnosis of primary MTD participated, 7 on site and 7 at remote locations. Each participant received 12 treatment sessions across 6 weeks. Treatment consisted of flow phonation voice therapy exercises. Auditory–perceptual, acoustic, aerodynamic, and quality-of-life measures were taken before and after treatment. Results: Perceptual and quality-of-life measures were significantly better posttreatment and were statistically equivalent across groups. Acoustic and aerodynamic measures improved in both groups, but changes did not reach statistical significance. Results for the 2 service delivery groups were comparable, with no significant differences observed for perceptual and quality-of-life measures. Conclusions: Although the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association supports the use of telepractice for speech-language pathology services, evidence for the use of telepractice for providing behavioral treatment to patients with MTD has been lacking. The results of this study indicate that flow phonation exercises can be successfully used for patients with MTD using telepractice.

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