Association between the adherence to voice therapy and voice activity profile in patients with behavioral dysphony

To analyze the association between adherence to voice therapy and voice activity profile in patients with behavioral dysphonia and possible associated factors.

The study included eighteen individuals with behavioral dysphonia who were on regular treatment at the institution Hearing and Speech Therapy Service. The participants of this study responded to the Voice Activity and Participation Profile Protocol (VAPP) and URICA-VOICE scale. The associated variables (number of sessions, age, type of behavioral dysphonia, gender and previous speech therapy) were collected through interviews with patients and analysis of their medical records. The data were submitted to inferential statistical analysis.

Most patients were in the action stage. There was a statistically significant association between the aspect of the VAPP Effects on Emotion and stages of readiness for adherence to voice therapy, but other VAPP aspects were not associated with the URICA-VOICE scale. Regarding the associated variables, the number of sessions, age and type of behavioral dysphonia were associated with the adherence to voice therapy. There was a statistically significant difference between the type of behavioral dysphonia and VAPP scores.

The aspect of VAPP Effects on Emotion and variables such as number of sessions, age and type of dysphonia were associated to the URICA-VOICE scale adherence stage. Individuals with organic dysphonia had greater impact of vocal disorders in their daily activities.