The Therapeutic Effects of Straw Phonation on Vocal Fatigue.

OBJECTIVES

Straw phonation has been investigated for its vocal warm-up effects on healthy populations and therapeutic effects on voice patients. The purpose of this article was to determine whether it is beneficial for vocal fatigue.

STUDY

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study

METHODS

Twenty-five healthy participants were recruited into 1-hour vocal loading tasks followed by 10-minute vocal rest or straw phonation on 2 different days. Various parameters including phonation threshold pressure (PTP), mean airflow, closed quotient (CQ), current speaking effort level (EFFT), and laryngeal discomfort (DISC) were acquired at baseline, after vocal load, and after the intervention.

RESULTS

Increased PTP, EFFT, and DISC were observed after vocal load. Decreased PTP, EFFT, and DISC were then acquired after both vocal rest or straw phonation. More significant improvements were obtained in straw phonation when compared with vocal rest. Additionally, significantly increased mean flow and decreased CQ were obtained after straw phonation when compared to vocal rest.

CONCLUSIONS

Straw phonation has the potential to adjust aerodynamics within the vocal tract leading to improved vocal efficiency, optimized vibration mode, and attenuated vocal fatigue. This study provided a promising treatment for vocal fatigue that could have wide clinical relevance to voice users with high voice demands.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 130:E674-E679, 2020.