Phonation Resistance Training Exercises (PhoRTE®) Delivered In-person and Via Telehealth: A Noninferiority Randomized Clinical Trial
University of Southern California
Summary
This study compares how well voice therapy works when delivered in-person versus through telehealth for older adults with age-related voice problems. Researchers are testing whether Phonation Resistance Training Exercises (PhoRTE®) can be just as effective when delivered remotely as when done face-to-face, which could make treatment more accessible and affordable for seniors. The two primary hypotheses are: 1. Does voice therapy (called PhoRTE®) work as well through video calls as it does face-to-face? 2. Can online therapy be a more accessible way for older adults to get help for their voice problems? Adults aged 55 or older with voice changes and an applicable diagnosis will be randomly assigned to receive either in-person or telehealth therapy, consisting of four 45-minute sessions. After treatment, researchers will measure improvements through: * Changes in voice function * Patient reports about their voice * Scientific measurements of voice quality * Patient satisfaction with treatment * Impact on quality of life The results will help determine if telehealth can be a good alternative to in-person voice therapy, especially important as telehealth coverage may be changing.
Description
This study employs a prospective, noninferiority cohort design to compare the efficacy of in-person versus telehealth delivery of Phonation Resistance Training Exercises (PhoRTE®) for adults aged 55+ diagnosed with presbyphonia. Participants will be recruited from the USC Voice Center, a multidisciplinary otolaryngology clinic with four outpatient locations in Southern California. Eligible participants must have a primary diagnosis of presbyphonia, age-related voice change, and/or vocal fold atrophy. The study will use stratified block randomization with a 1:1 allocation ratio to ensure equi…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 54+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults 55+ with a primary diagnosis of presbyphonia, age-related voice changes, and/or vocal fold atrophy with or without localized loss of lamina propria (e.g. vocal fold scar) * Telehealth-capable device (e.g., tablet, computer) with microphone, speaker, camera, high-speed internet * Ability to attend four telehealth or in-person sessions for four consecutive sessions * Ability to attend two in-person evaluation sessions (pre- and post-treatment) Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of localized masses, lesions, or vocal fold motion impairments identified during videostrob…
Interventions
- Behavioralexuberant voice therapy
exuberant voice therapy validated for patients with age-related voice changes (i.e., vocal fold atrophy, presbyphonia)
Locations (4)
- USC Voice CenterArcadia, California
- USC Voice CenterBeverly Hills, California
- USC Voice CenterGlendale, California
- USC Voice CenterLos Angeles, California