Effects of Vocal Function Exercises: A Systematic Review
Journal of Voice
Angadi, V., Croake, D., et al. (2019).
Journal of Voice, 33(1), 124.e13-124.e34.
This systematic review investigates the effect of vocal function exercises for improving voice production.
Not stated
Up to June 1, 2017
Published peer-reviewed studies
21
<div>Results suggested that compliance with treatment was associated with magnitude of improvement using vocal function exercises (VFEs). Participants who were monitored during their therapy program appeared more successful than those who were not monitored.</div>
<p>Most included studies had a high level of methodological rigor, and most demonstrated medium to large effect sizes of vocal function exercises (VFEs) on various measures of voice production. Effect sizes, in Hedge's <em>g</em>, were organized by domains of voice assessment. Effect sizes were as follows:</p>
<ul>
<li>Voice Related Quality of Life (VRQoL) ranged from medium to large (-1.35 to -0.42);</li>
<li>Voice Handicap Index (VHI) ranged form medium to large (0.54 to 0.89);</li>
<li>Maximum phonation time (MPT) ranged from small to large (0.11 to 1.55);</li>
<li>Jitter ranged from small to medium (0.05 to -0.74); and</li>
<li>Shimmer ranged from small to medium (-0.14 to -0.77).</li>
</ul>
<p>In general, VFEs appeared to have effects across multiple domains of voice assessment. Results of this review suggest "there is moderate-to-strong evidence based on patient self-report and mild-to-moderate evidence based on objective measures to support the use of VFEs to enhance the normal voice and the voices of highly trained singers, remediate disordered voice, and improve the aging voice" (p. 124.e32).</p>
