The immediate effect of air suction exercise on vocal quality and vocal self-assessment of teachers with vocal complaints: a pilot study

ABSTRACT

Purpose  To analyze the immediate effect of the air suction exercise on vocal quality and vocal self-assessment of teachers.

Methods  This is an intervention pilot study. Thirteen dysphonic teachers from private elementary schools participated in this study, with an average age of 35 years and ten months. The air suction exercise was performed ten times by each participant. The measured outcomes were: auditory-perceptual evaluation of voice, acoustic analysis, and vocal self-assessment. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results  there was no difference in the acoustic and auditory-perceptual parameters measured before and after the intervention. There was a significantly higher proportion of teachers who self-evaluated the voice as better after the intervention.

Conclusion  the air suction exercise produces immediate positive effects on teachers' vocal self-assessment.

Keywords:
Dysphonia; Teacher; Vocal training; Therapy; Occupational health