Thermal, multiparametric, and multidimensional voice measures of laryngeal hydrations in speech-language pathologists: A preliminary longitudinal investigation
Lachmanaik Supreetha, Thirunavukkarasu JayakumarAbstract
Purpose:
Research on the benefits of laryngeal hydration is limited and inconsistent, and longitudinal studies evaluating its impact on speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are scarce. Thus, this study aimed to assess the effect of laryngeal hydration in SLPs by utilizing a longitudinal method and evaluating thermal, multiparametric, and multidimensional voice measures.
Materials and Methods:
In a longitudinal quasi-experimental pre- and post-test design, eight female SLPs participated in a laryngeal hydration study for 6 consecutive days. On alternate days, participants received one of the following laryngeal hydration treatments: systemic hydration (drinking water and vocal loading lasted for 75 min), surface hydration (nebulization and vocal loading lasted for 83 min), and combined hydration. Across hydration interventions, pre- and post-tests of multiparametric and multidimensional voice outcomes were assessed for thermal (front, right, and left views of the throat), multiparametric (cepstral spectral index of dysphonia), aerodynamic (maximum phonation time [MPT] and
Results:
Pre- and post-thermal results showed a significant decrease in temperature in the front view of the throat for combined hydration. Similarly, pre- and post-test comparison for systemic hydration showed increased vocal fatigue index-2 (factor 1 scores). Surface hydration showed increased MPT, while combined hydration significantly improved cepstral peak prominence and
Conclusions:
This study suggests that surface and combined hydration improve voice quality more than systemic hydration, as laryngeal hydration enhances voice quality and reduces vocal fatigue in SLPs.