| Title: | Effectiveness of group voice therapy in teachers with hyperfunctional voice disorder |
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| Authors: | ID Prebil, Nataša (Author)
ID Kušar, Rozalija (Author)
ID Šereg Bahar, Maja (Author)
ID Hočevar-Boltežar, Irena (Author) |
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| Files: |  PDF - Presentation file, download (217,33 KB)
MD5: 3A209CD59F8BE1ADCF8B8271DC707272
 URL - Source URL, visit https://www.mdpi.com/2039-7283/16/1/16
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| Language: | English |
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| Typology: | 1.01 - Original Scientific Article |
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| Organization: |  UKC LJ - Ljubljana University Medical Centre
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| Abstract: | Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the short-term and long-term effectiveness of group voice therapy in changing vocal behaviour and improving voice quality (VQ) among teachers with hyperfunctional voice disorders (HFVD), using both subjective and objective measures. Methods: Thirty-one teachers participated in a structured group voice therapy programme. Participants underwent videoendostroboscopic evaluation of laryngeal morphology and function, perceptual assessment of voice, acoustic analysis of voice samples, and aerodynamic measurements of phonation. Patients’ self-assessment of VQ and its impact on quality of life were measured using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Voice Handicap Index-30 (VHI-30). Evaluations were conducted at four time points: pre-therapy (T0), immediately post-therapy (T1), and at 3-month (T3) and 12-month (T12) follow-up visits. Results: Significant improvement was observed between T0 and T1 in perceptual voice evaluations: grade, roughness, asthenia, strain, loudness, fast speaking rate, as well as in neck muscle tension, shimmer, patients’ most harmful vocal behaviours, VHI-30 scores, patients VQ evaluation, and its impact on quality of life (all p < 0.05). Almost all parameters of subjective and objective voice assessment improved over the 12-month observation period, with the greatest improvement between T0 and T12 (all p < 0.05), indicating lasting reduced laryngeal tension and improved phonatory efficiency. Conclusions: Group voice therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for teachers with HFVD, leading to significant and long-lasting improvements in perceptual, acoustic, and self-assessment outcomes. Therapy also promoted healthier vocal and lifestyle behaviours, supporting its role as a successful and cost-effective rehabilitation and prevention method for occupational voice disorders. |
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| Keywords: | voice disorders, teacher, voice therapy, group therapy, treatment outcomes |
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| Publication status: | Published |
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| Publication version: | Version of Record |
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| Year of publishing: | 2026 |
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| Number of pages: | 13 str. |
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| Numbering: | Vol. 16, issue 1 |
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| PID: | 20.500.12556/DiRROS-25347  |
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| UDC: | 616 |
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| ISSN on article: | 2039-7283 |
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| DOI: | 10.3390/clinpract16010016 |
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| COBISS.SI-ID: | 265017091 |
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| Note: | Nasl. z nasl. zaslona;
Opis vira z dne 16. 1. 2026;
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| Publication date in DiRROS: | 16.01.2026 |
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| Views: | 183 |
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| Downloads: | 116 |
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