Aerodynamic, Electroglottographic, and Acoustic Outcomes after Tube Phonation in Water in Elderly Subjects

Karger AG, Basel. Objective: The present study aimed at observing the influence of tube phonation into water on objective voice characteristics in elderly subjects. Methods: Thirty elderly subjects with presbyphonia were randomly assigned to one of two voice exercise groups: (1) voice exercises with water resistance therapy at 4 and 8 cm of water depth (experimental group), and (2) voice exercises with vowel [a:]. Aerodynamic, electroglottographic, and acoustic voice assessments were conducted before and after exercises. Results: The experimental group showed a significant increase in contact quotient, subglottic pressure (Psub), glottal resistance, and sound pressure level (SPL) when comparing the pre-post 8 cm and the post 4 cm-post 8 cm conditions. No significant differences were found for the control group. Moreover, significant differences for all variables (except for glottal airflow) when comparing condition post (for the control group) and condition post 8 cm (for the experimental group) were found. Conclusion: Tube phonation into water might improve vocal function in the geriatric population. This semioccluded vocal tract exercise seems to promote an increase in Psub and vocal fold adduction immediately after exercise. This in turn might cause an increase in SPL. The effect should become manifest when a deep level of submersion (e.g., 8 cm water) is used. Shallower submersion produced negligible or no effects.