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Maximum phonation time for children with normal voices
Journal of Communication Disorders
|October 1, 1984
Summary
Maximum phonation time (MPT) in children generally increases with age and is longer in males. Optimal MPT performance can be improved with practice and feedback, but variability limits direct comparisons.
Area of Science:
- Speech and Hearing Sciences
- Pediatric Audiology
- Vocal Physiology
Background:
- Maximum phonation time (MPT) is a key measure in assessing vocal function.
- Understanding factors influencing MPT in children is crucial for accurate clinical interpretation.
- Previous research indicates potential differences in MPT based on age and sex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of sex, age, and repeated trials on MPT in children.
- To determine if phonation time increases monotonically with age across different pediatric age groups.
- To explore methods for enhancing MPT performance in pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- Collected MPT data from 286 male and female children aged 3-6 and 17-11 years.
- Subjects sustained phonation of the vowel /a/ across 14 consecutive trials.
- Analyzed the impact of sex, age, and trial number on sustained phonation duration.
Main Results:
- Group mean MPT was significantly longer for male subjects compared to female subjects.
- Phonation time generally increased with age for both sexes, though not always monotonically.
- Repeated trials, visual feedback, and verbal encouragement enhanced MPT performance.
Conclusions:
- MPT in children is influenced by sex and age, with males and older children exhibiting longer durations.
- While MPT tends to increase with age, significant variability exists, precluding direct individual-group mean comparisons.
- Clinical interpretation of MPT requires a more nuanced approach due to substantial intra- and intersubject variability.