Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria in Healthy Occupational Voice Users in Human Research: A Scoping Review
Gregory J Spray1, Victoria C Badolato1, Mary J Sandage1
1Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL.
Journal of Voice : Official Journal of the Voice Foundation
|January 15, 2026
Summary
Researchers reviewed 71 studies on occupational voice users to identify common inclusion and exclusion criteria. Findings show inconsistent criteria for factors like gender and hydration, impacting vocal function research generalizability.
Area of Science:
- Speech and Hearing Science
- Occupational Health
- Vocal Function Research
Background:
- Occupational voice users are susceptible to vocal dysfunction.
- Standardized inclusion/exclusion criteria are crucial for reliable vocal function research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and identify typical inclusion and exclusion criteria for human participants in occupational vocal function research.
Main Methods:
- A scoping review adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
- Searched databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, APA PsychInfo, Web of Science) for studies published between January 1, 2018, and September 15, 2023.
- Included experimental and non-experimental studies on human occupational voice users, excluding reviews, case reports, and studies with head/neck cancer patients.
Main Results:
- Seventy-one studies met the inclusion criteria.
- Sex and vocal health were commonly reported inclusion/exclusion variables.
- Variables like gender, hydration status, and medication use were infrequently detailed.
Conclusions:
- Current inclusion/exclusion criteria in occupational vocal function research are often narrow.
- Expanding and standardizing these criteria is necessary for robust and generalizable findings.
- Consistent criteria will improve the clinical applicability of vocal function research.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Bioavailability Study Design: Healthy Subjects Versus Patients
144
Bioavailability studies are essential for evaluating a drug's therapeutic efficacy and understanding its absorption patterns under various physiological conditions. Conducting such studies on target patient populations provides more relevant data by simulating real-world disease states. However, practical challenges often necessitate the use of young, healthy adult volunteers as study subjects.Patients may exhibit altered drug absorption patterns due to the effects of the disease itself,...
144
01:29Bias in Epidemiological Studies
1.3K
Biases can arise at various stages of research, from study design and data collection to analysis and interpretation. Recognizing and addressing these biases is essential to ensure the validity and reliability of epidemiological findings.Broadly speaking, biases in epidemiology fall into three main categories: selection bias, information bias, and confounding. A more detailed description of possible biases is:
1.3K
01:19Respiratory Assessment: Purpose and Indications
1.7K
Respiratory assessment is a cornerstone of nursing assessments, crucial for the early detection of patient deterioration. This evaluation transcends routine procedures, representing a critical skill nurses must master to ensure optimal patient care.
Objectives and Importance:
The primary goal of respiratory assessment is to evaluate patients at early risk of clinical deterioration. Since respiratory distress often precedes other signs of declining health, breathing patterns and sounds become a...
Objectives and Importance:
The primary goal of respiratory assessment is to evaluate patients at early risk of clinical deterioration. Since respiratory distress often precedes other signs of declining health, breathing patterns and sounds become a...
1.7K