[Voice frequencies in patients treated with chronic hemodialysis]

Stress effects on respiration and muscle tension are most likely to affect phonation and articulation; the acoustic parameters reflecting vocal indicators of stress are fundamental frequency, duration and intensity. The aim of this study was to explore the link between some psychosomatic states of patients on dialysis and physical parameters of the vowel "e". Fundamental frequency, intensity and duration of the vowel "e" produced before, during and after dialysis were investigated. The results showed that in the period before dialysis the fundamental frequency was greater, duration was longer and intensity was unchanged. This investigation showed that the changes of the parameters of voice were induced with the changes of psychophysiological states of the patients on dialysis. These patients were in the state of chronicle stress, but the period before the treatment was associated with special, anticipatory stress that induced greater fundamental frequency and longer duration of the pronunciation of the vowel "e".