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European Archives of... Sep 2022This study aimed to evaluate the phonatory function of recovered COVID-19 survivors. The universal outbreak of COVID-19 led to the occurrence of otolaryngological...
INTRODUCTION
This study aimed to evaluate the phonatory function of recovered COVID-19 survivors. The universal outbreak of COVID-19 led to the occurrence of otolaryngological manifestations that raised concerns about the assessment of the phonatory function in recovering patients.
METHODS
This is a prospective, cross-sectional, case-controlled study carried out on 364 laboratory-confirmed non-critical COVID-19 survivors and 100 as healthy controls. The study participants were classified into two groups according to the disease severity. Group1 comprised 212 survivors who recovered from pneumonia and group 2 was made up of 152 survivors of severe pneumonia. All patients were subjected to an auditory perceptual assessment of the voice (APA) and Maximum Phonation Time (MPT) measurements.
RESULTS
Phonasthenic manifestations were significantly more frequent in COVID-19 survivors than in controls (P < 0.000) with a higher percentage recorded among severe pneumonia survivors (87.5%) than among pneumonia survivors (60.8%) with a P value of < 0.01. Dysphonia and excessively soft loudness were significantly more common among survivors than among controls (P < 0.002 and P < 0.000, respectively) with no significant difference between the patient groups. The MPT was significantly shorter among survivors than among controls (P < 0.000). The mean MPT was 15.97 s in the control group, 10.72 s in the pneumonia group, and 8.88 s in the severe pneumonia group, with the differences between the groups being statistically significant (P < 0.000), suggesting a higher impairment of lung volume and phonatory function in severe cases.
CONCLUSIONS
Phonasthenia, dysphonia, and decreased MPT could be otolaryngological manifestations of COVID-19. Laryngeal function assessment should be considered in COVID-19 survivors.
Topics: COVID-19; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dysphonia; Hoarseness; Humans; Phonation; Prospective Studies; Survivors; Voice Quality
PubMed: 35570204
DOI: 10.1007/s00405-022-07419-2 -
Ear, Nose, & Throat Journal Aug 2022Ulcerative necrotic supraglottitis is a rare entity of laryngeal infection leading rapidly in laryngeal necrosis, systematic complications and potentially fatal...
Ulcerative necrotic supraglottitis is a rare entity of laryngeal infection leading rapidly in laryngeal necrosis, systematic complications and potentially fatal outcomes. We present a case of a 50-year-old gentleman with ulcerative necrotising supraglottitis and no co-morbidities who presented in Ear Nose and Throat Service in the Accident and Emergency department due to dysphagia and weakness. He was treated with an emergency tracheostomy with neck exploration and washout and received appropriate supporting antibiotic regime. He improved and was eventually decannulated, able to breathe phonate and swallow appropriately. After a thorough review of the literature regarding necrotising infections of the laryngeal cavity, only 7 cases have been reported, all in immunocompromised patients with severe complications. Our case report is the first ulcerative necrotic supraglottitis in a healthy individual who was treated early and aggressively with impressive results.
PubMed: 35968558
DOI: 10.1177/01455613221119350 -
Health Promotion International Jun 2022The majority of people living with dementia are cared for by their families. Family carers play a vital role in upholding the formal care system. Caring for a family... (Review)
Review
The majority of people living with dementia are cared for by their families. Family carers play a vital role in upholding the formal care system. Caring for a family member with dementia can be fulfilling. However, this role can have a considerable negative impact on family carers' mental and physical health and quality of life. Several empirical research studies have recently been conducted that explore the potential benefits of music interventions for family carers of people living with dementia. Singing has been the primary musical medium employed. This article presents the first review of this literature to date. It investigates the impact of music interventions on the health and well-being of family carers of people living with dementia, and how they experience and perceive these interventions. Whittemore and Knafl's five-stage integrative review framework was utilized: (i) problem identification; (ii) literature search; (iii) data evaluation; (iv) data analysis and synthesis; and (v) presentation of the findings. A total of 33 studies met the inclusion criteria. Analysis and synthesis resulted in three overarching themes: impact on family carers, carer perceptions of music interventions and null quantitative findings in small studies. The review found that singing and music interventions may improve family carers' social and emotional well-being, enhance their ability to cope and care and ameliorate the caring relationship, contributing to experiences of flourishing. However, it highlighted that this area is under-researched and pointed to the need for larger, more rigorous studies.
Topics: Caregivers; Dementia; Family; Humans; Music; Music Therapy; Quality of Life; Singing
PubMed: 35417003
DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daac024 -
Psychonomic Bulletin & Review Dec 2023Facial muscle activity contributes to singing and to articulation: in articulation, mouth shape can alter vowel identity; and in singing, facial movement correlates with...
Facial muscle activity contributes to singing and to articulation: in articulation, mouth shape can alter vowel identity; and in singing, facial movement correlates with pitch changes. Here, we examine whether mouth posture causally influences pitch during singing imagery. Based on perception-action theories and embodied cognition theories, we predict that mouth posture influences pitch judgments even when no overt utterances are produced. In two experiments (total N = 160), mouth posture was manipulated to resemble the articulation of either /i/ (as in English meet; retracted lips) or /o/ (as in French rose; protruded lips). Holding this mouth posture, participants were instructed to mentally "sing" given songs (which were all positive in valence) while listening with their inner ear and, afterwards, to assess the pitch of their mental chant. As predicted, compared to the o-posture, the i-posture led to higher pitch in mental singing. Thus, bodily states can shape experiential qualities, such as pitch, during imagery. This extends embodied music cognition and demonstrates a new link between language and music.
Topics: Humans; Singing; Pitch Perception; Music; Cognition; Posture
PubMed: 37221280
DOI: 10.3758/s13423-023-02306-1 -
Scientific Reports Sep 2021One of the most complex forms of creativity is musical improvisation where new music is produced in real time. Brain behavior during music production has several...
One of the most complex forms of creativity is musical improvisation where new music is produced in real time. Brain behavior during music production has several dimensions depending on the conditions of the performance. The expression of creativity is suspected to be different whether novel ideas must be externalized using a musical instrument or can be imagined internally. This study explores whole brain functional network connectivity from fMRI data during jazz music improvisation compared against a baseline of prelearned score performance. Given that creativity might be affected by external execution, another dimension where musicians imagine or vocalize the music was also tested. We found improvisation was associated with a state of weak connectivity necessary for attenuated executive control network recruitment associated with a feeling of "flow" allowing unhindered musical creation. In addition, elicited connectivity for sensorimotor and executive control networks is not different whether musicians imagine or externalize (through vocalization) musical performance.
Topics: Adult; Brain; Executive Function; Humans; Imagination; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Music; Psychomotor Performance; Singing; Young Adult
PubMed: 34561516
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98332-x -
CoDAS 2022This Brief Communication describes the professional coaching/coach counterpointed by the vocal coaching/coach. The aim is to introduce and explain these two coaching...
PURPOSE
This Brief Communication describes the professional coaching/coach counterpointed by the vocal coaching/coach. The aim is to introduce and explain these two coaching perspectives for a correct and specific use of the terms.
METHODS
Six undergraduate professors, speech language pathologists - SLP and/or professional coaches and/or vocal coaches met and shared their perceptions and experiences in professional or vocal coaching and in teaching coaching strategies to professionals working in the voice field. A chart was set encompassing the similarities and differences between the two attributions, both in terms of the intervention process and professional training.
RESULTS
Six fundamental aspects were identified to characterize the two coaching presentations, both professional and vocal, namely: credentials, performance, process, basic knowledge, partnership for results, and professional title.
CONCLUSION
Professional coaching involved a structured process that requires certified training with individuals accredited by qualified associations aiming to facilitate positive changes in clients' lives and improve for the understanding of how personal and professional skills are developed. Conversely, vocal coaching can be characterized as an unstructured function that does not require accredited training, executable by various health or vocal pedagogy professionals for improving voice and/or communicative performance of artistic or non-artistic individuals , sung or spoken voice users. Particularly regarding vocal coaching, it is suggested that the professional is identified throughout the academic training or basic professional performance, thus adding the term vocal coach as a qualifier.
Topics: Humans; Mentoring; Occupations; Singing; Voice; Voice Disorders
PubMed: 35239802
DOI: 10.1590/2317-1782/20212021003 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2019Tourette syndrome is a common neurodevelopmental disorder defined by the presence of tics, stereotyped involuntary movements and phonations. Considerable evidence points... (Review)
Review
Tourette syndrome is a common neurodevelopmental disorder defined by the presence of tics, stereotyped involuntary movements and phonations. Considerable evidence points to developmental abnormalities of the basal ganglia as tic substrates. Basal ganglia dysfunction does not account for important features of Tourette syndrome, including its natural history, male predominance, and the characteristic quality and distribution of tics. The latter mainly involve eye, face, and head movements, in addition to a variety of simple to complex phonations. A major normal function of these movements, and of phonations as well, is social signaling. Many important species- and sex-specific stereotyped social behaviors are mediated by a phylogenetically conserved network of subcortical nuclei, the social behavior network (SBN). Some SBN nuclei are sexually dimorphic, and SBN function is modulated strongly by gonadal steroids. Recent studies indicate that the SBN meshes with the basal ganglia to form a larger network, the Social Decision Making Network (SDM; O'Connell and Hofmann [2011]). The SDM concept overlaps significantly with Holstege's (1993) model of an emotional motor system mediating socially relevant facial movements and phonations. Dopaminergic signaling within the basal ganglia component of the SDM may regulate social act motivation with the SBN component responsible for act expression. Developmental SDM abnormalities can explain all major Tourette syndrome features, including natural history, male predominance, the characteristic distribution of tics, and their stereotyped quality. Some data directly support this hypothesis. Tourette syndrome may be a disorder of social communication manifesting primarily as abnormal involuntary movements.
PubMed: 31649568
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00742 -
The Laryngoscope Oct 2021There are currently no treatments available that restore dynamic laryngeal function after hemilaryngectomy. We have shown that dynamic function can be restored post...
OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS
There are currently no treatments available that restore dynamic laryngeal function after hemilaryngectomy. We have shown that dynamic function can be restored post hemilaryngectomy in a rat model. Here, we report in a first of its kind, proof of concept study that this previously published technique is scalable to a porcine model.
STUDY DESIGN
Animal study.
METHODS
Muscle and fat biopsies were taken from three Yucatan minipigs. Muscle progenitor cells (MPCs) and adipose stem cells (ASCs) were isolated and cultured for 3 weeks. The minipigs underwent a left laterovertical partial laryngectomy sparing the left arytenoid cartilage and transecting the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Each layer was replaced with a tissue-engineered implant: 1) an acellular mucosal layer composed of densified Type I oligomeric collagen, 2) a skeletal muscle layer composed of autologous MPCs and aligned oligomeric collagen differentiated and induced to express motor endplates (MEE), and 3) a cartilage layer composed of autologous ASCs and densified oligomeric collagen differentiated to cartilage. Healing was monitored at 2 and 4 weeks post-op, and at the 8 week study endpoint.
RESULTS
Animals demonstrated appropriate weight gain, no aspiration events, and audible phonation. Video laryngoscopy showed progressive healing with vascularization and re-epithelialization present at 4 weeks. On histology, there was no immune reaction to the implants and there was complete integration into host tissue with nerve and vascular ingrowth.
CONCLUSIONS
This pilot study represents a first in which a transmural vertical partial laryngectomy was performed and successfully repaired with a customized, autologous stem cell-derived multi-layered tissue-engineered implant.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
NA Laryngoscope, 131:2277-2284, 2021.
Topics: Adipose Tissue; Animals; Cell Differentiation; Cells, Cultured; Deglutition; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Laryngeal Cartilages; Laryngectomy; Laryngoplasty; Larynx; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Motor Endplate; Muscle, Skeletal; Myoblasts; Phonation; Pilot Projects; Primary Cell Culture; Proof of Concept Study; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve; Swine; Swine, Miniature; Tissue Engineering; Tissue Scaffolds
PubMed: 33247846
DOI: 10.1002/lary.29282 -
Deutsches Arzteblatt International Feb 2023
Topics: Humans; Vocal Cords; Singing; Hemorrhage
PubMed: 37070180
DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.m2022.0356 -
CoDAS 2019To investigate the immediate effect of phonation into silicone tube on self-assessment and vocal quality of gospel singers.
PURPOSE
To investigate the immediate effect of phonation into silicone tube on self-assessment and vocal quality of gospel singers.
METHODS
The sample was composed of 40 gospel singers without vocal complaint, males and females, from 18 to 40 years. The singers performed semi-occluded vocal tract exercise in LaxVox® silicone tube. The end of the tube was submerged in water (2cm depth), for three minutes. Before and after exercise, voice recording was performed for perceptive-auditory evaluation, and only after exercise, the voice and comfort phonation self-assessments (CSA) were performed. The descriptive and inferential statistical analysis were performed.
RESULTS
All participants reported improvement in voice. In addition, a significant higher proportion of them indicated phonation comfort improvement after exercise. According to the perceptive-auditory evaluation, there was no difference in the comparison of the proportions of pre- and post-exercise perceptive-auditory evaluation categories in gospel singers.
CONCLUSION
The phonation exercise into a silicone tube caused an immediate positive effect on gospel singers' voice and comfort phonation self-assessments. There was no significant difference in the perceptive-auditory evaluation before and after phonation into silicone tube in gospel singers.
Topics: Acoustics; Adolescent; Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Phonation; Prospective Studies; Self-Assessment; Silicones; Singing; Voice; Voice Quality; Voice Training; Young Adult
PubMed: 31800878
DOI: 10.1590/2317-1782/20192018117