Rehabilitación vocal fisiológica con ejercicios de tracto vocal semiocluido

Introduction. Semi-occluded vocal tract exercises (SOVTE) are tools used in physiologic voice rehabilitation. Semi-occluded vocal tract exercises are vocal exercises produced by the semi-occlusion of the vocal tract through a series of postures that seek to lengthen and/or occlude the vocal tract, generating a change in the vibratory pattern of vocal folds, degree of vocal folds adduction, and the respiratory pattern. SOVTE can be divided, according to the type of semi-occlusion, into sustained, transient and oscillatory, as well as exercises with high and low degree of airflow resistance. Objective. To describe the different types of semi-occluded vocal tract exercises, the type of semi-occlusion, the type of resistance, and their effects on the vocal folds, respiratory pattern, and configuration of the vocal tract. Methodology. A literature review was performed in the PubMed, Medline, and Science Direct databases, using the following terms: “Semi-occluded vocal tract postures”, “Semi-occluded vocal tract” and “Semi-occluded vocal tract exercises”. Boolean operators “AND” and “OR” were used to specify the search. Results. The benefits of these exercises positively impact aerodynamic variables, glottal function, and configuration of the vocal tract. Conclusions. The semi-occluded vocal tract exercises are a family of vocal exercises produced by the sustained, transitory, and oscillatory semi-occlusion of the vocal tract, through a series of postures that seek to lengthen and/or occlude the vocal tract, whose benefits positively impact on vocal folds and vocal tract.