Telepractice Versus In-Person Delivery of Voice Therapy for Primary Muscle Tension Dysphonia

ASU Author/Contributor (non-ASU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Gary McCullough Ph.D , Associate Dean (Creator)
Kim McCullough Ph.D, Associate Professor, Speech Language Pathology (Creator)
Institution
Appalachian State University (ASU )
Web Site: https://library.appstate.edu/

Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of telepractice for delivering flow phonation exercises to persons with primary muscle tension dysphonia (MTD). Method: Fourteen participants with a diagnosis of primary MTD participated, 7 on site and 7 at remote locations. Each participant received 12 treatment sessions across 6 weeks. Treatment consisted of flow phonation voice therapy exercises. Auditory–perceptual, acoustic, aerodynamic, and quality-of-life measures were taken before and after treatment. Results: Perceptual and quality-of-life measures were significantly better posttreatment and were statistically equivalent across groups. Acoustic and aerodynamic measures improved in both groups, but changes did not reach statistical significance. Results for the 2 service delivery groups were comparable, with no significant differences observed for perceptual and quality-of-life measures.Conclusions: Although the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association supports the use of telepractice for speech-language pathology services, evidence for the use of telepractice for providing behavioral treatment to patients with MTD has been lacking. The results of this study indicate that flow phonation exercises can be successfully used for patients with MTD using telepractice.

Additional Information

Publication
Gary H. McCullough, Balaji Rangarathnam, Hylan Pickett, Richard I. Zraick, Ozlem Tulunay-Ugur, and Kimberly C. McCullough (2015) "Telepractice Versus In-Person Delivery Of Voice Therapy For Primary Muscle Tension Dysphonia" American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology vol. 24 pp. 386-399 [doi:10.1044/2015_AJSLP-14-0017] Version of Record Available @ www.asha.org
Language: English
Date: 2015
Keywords
speech disorders, MTD, Telepractice, Dysphonia

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