Phonatory deviation diagram in two vocal rehabilitation programs

Abstract

Objective: To compare both vocal perceptual analysis and Phonatory Deviation Diagram (PDD) of a group of patients undergoing voice therapy with Vocal Function Exercises (VFE) and a group undergoing Comprehensive Vocal Rehabilitation Program (CVRP). Methods: 72 professional voices with vocal complaint, sent to voice rehabilitation of behavioral dysphonia, were followed during six speech therapy sessions. The participants were randomly divided into two groups. One of them was submitted to CVRP and the other, the VFE. The analyzed speech material was the / ε / vowel, recorded in Vocal Quality module of VoxMetria program (CTS Informatica) for extraction of the phonatory deviation diagram, pre and post therapy times. The groups were compared according to the general level of the voice deviation, acoustic aspects and to the distribution of the PDD vocal samples, in terms of normal area, density, shape and location in the quadrants. Results: The only difference was on the density of the PDD record on post vocal therapy, and the VFE group had a more concentrated record after the therapy compared to CVRP group (p = 0.031). Only individuals from the CVRP group showed differences on the vocal perceptual analysis, and most of them had their voices assessed as with no deviation in the post-intervention. Conclusions: Comprehensive Vocal Rehabilitation Program promotes an improvement of voice quality, but there was no correspondence of the vocal perceptual analysis with acoustic analysis, as the phonatory deviation diagram was sensitive to identify changes only in the evaluation of patients undergoing Vocal Function Exercises.