1,720,966 research outputs found
Correlation between dysphonia and dysphagia evolution in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients
No full textPurpose: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a non-demyelinating neurodegenerative disease in adults with motor disorders. It is the most prevalent neuromuscular disease worldwide. Two forms exist: a sporadic form (90% of cases) and a family form due to mutations in more than 20 genes. Patient clinical characteristics are muscle weakness, dysphagia, dysphonia and respiratory failure. The cause of ALS is unknown as we do not know why it affects some people and not others. The aim of this pilot study is to evaluate the possible relationship between dysphonia and dysphagia in ALS patients and if a deterioration of speech ability is linked with a worsening of dysphagia. Materials and methods: Between March 2017 and February 2018, 27 newly diagnoses patients (about 2 months) were examined in the ENT Clinic of our University Hospital. The bulbar-onset of ALS was diagnosed by neurologists. Results: According to the endoscopic and clinical results, patients were classified in 4 classes of dysphagia. Laryngology and speech pathology assessment with spectroacuostic analysis of speech using Praat software are fundamental for the proper evaluation of dysphonia of these patients. This study was the first attempt to find a vocal indicator of advancement in swallowing dysfunction in the patient population of ALS. Preliminary findings indicate that the reduction in the maximum fundamental frequency is associated with advancement of dysphagia. Conclusions: Monitoring the vocal parameters could be useful in order to give an early rehabilitation aid to these patients improving their quality of life and reducing aspiration risks. © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
Singing voice: acoustic parameters after vocal warm-up and cool-down
No full textPurpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the vocal warm-up and cool-down on the singing voice through Fundamental Frequency (F0), Jitter, Shimmer and harmonics-to-noise ratio (HNR). Methods: Thirty-two female singing students were recorded four times while uttering the vowel [a] for at least 5''. The first two recordings were collected before and after a vocal warm-up session and the last two before and after a vocal cool-down session. Between those sessions the participants underwent an intense vocal activity. Results: Results showed significant variations in the average values of the parameters measured. The mean value of the F0 after intense vocal activity turned to be higher than the one measured before the warm-up session, as well as the mean F0 measured after singing compared to the one measured after the vocal warm-up. On the other end, the mean F0 after the vocal cool-down resulted to be lower than that measured before. After the vocal warm-up session Jitter and Shimmer decreased while HNR increased. In addition, a decrease was detected in comparison with the average value of Jitter and Shimmer before vocal warm-up and after vocal cool-down, whereas HNR increased. There was also a decrease between the Shimmer before the vocal warm-up and after an intense phonatory activity while HNR increased. Conclusions: Our study highlights the effect of the vocal warm-up on acoustic parameters. The reduction in F0 observed after the cool-down session confirms its positive effect in helping professional vocal recovery and reducing vocal fold tension
Kinesio Taping Application in Dysphonic Singers
No full textIntroduction: Kinesio Taping (KT) application in speech therapy has been studied in a few works about dysphonia, facial nerve palsy, sialorrhea, atypical deglutition, postsurgical recovery after thyroidectomy and laryngectomy. The aim of this study was the evaluation of the possible role of KT in supporting speech therapy in singers complaining of dysphonia using singing voice handicap index (SVHI), fundamental frequency (F0), shimmer, jitter and harmonic to noise ratio (mean H/N). Materials and methods: We enrolled consecutive singers and singing students complaining of dysphonia and voice problems. Control group (DG1) was composed of 15 individuals who underwent traditional speech therapy only, while Case group (DG2), also composed of 15 subjects, underwent traditional speech therapy associated with KT application. A computerized voice analysis was conducted using PRAAT software observing F0, jitter, shimmer and mean H/N before (t1), at mid (t2) and after (t3) the treatment. Moreover, each patient filled in the SVHI before (t1) and after (t3) the complete speech therapy treatment. Results: The mean F0 and H/N measured before, during and after the logopedic treatment, showed a notable increase over time (P value <0.001) both for DG1 and DG2. However, no significant difference was found comparing the two groups. Jitter and Shimmer after treatment were clearly seen to be lower than before in both groups (P value <0.001), and followed a significantly different trend over time (P value <0.001). Moreover, unlike F0 and mean H/N, these parameters underwent a significantly greater decrease in DG2 compared to DG1. Lastly, SVHI improved at t3 and although these reductions were clear in both groups, it was greater in DG2 than in DG1. Discussion and Conclusions: Our findings are encouraging and suggest the possibility of using KT in case of vocal pathologies in singers. It is imperative to underline that the tape does not replace speech therapy, but could possibly enhance the effects of the treatment
Nasal septum angiofibroma: A rare condition with an unusual onset
Full text linkThe characteristics of extra-nasopharyngeal angiofibromas tend to be different from angiofibromas of the nasopharynx according to patient gender, patient age, prevalence, affected site, pathogenesis, and clinical and epidemiological features. We report a case of an extra-nasopharyngeal angiofibroma in a 28-year-old man referred to the ENT Clinic for right-sided epistaxis, airflow impairment and nasal swelling. The right nostril was completely occluded works by a reddish-yellow mass that bled easily. The computed tomography scan revealed an “inhomogeneous solid lesion in the nasal fossa”. With the patient under general anesthesia, the formation in the anterior portion of the right side of the nasal septum was removed up to its vascular base. Although electrical cauterization efficiently controlled the bleeding, we abraded the sub-perichondral area to prevent further bleeding as well as recurrence. The histological exam report confirmed the diagnosis of angiofibroma. As in our case, epistaxis is commonly the presenting sign of angiofibroma. Yet its onset was peculiar, given that the bleeding started with a low impact trauma. The nasal swelling was also a relevant feature as well as the breathing impairment. Although uncommon, nasal septal angiofibromas should considered in patients with epistaxis
Voice and Pilates: The influence of Pilates on the singing voice
No full textIntroduction: Those who use voice for professional purposes know how crucial it is to regulate posture, breath and voice to get the best vocal performance. Pilates, a fitness system that focuses on breathing and postural control, should be beneficial in optimizing singers’ voice. The present study aims to demonstrate that the practice of Pilates improves the quality of artistic vocal production. Materials and methods: We collected a sample of 15 singing students that underwent ENT examination and filled in a first questionnaire. After that we proceeded to voice recording and acoustic analysis through software Praat. Next, together with a fully qualified Pilates teacher, we identified a few exercises acting on the respiratory muscles, that were explained and practiced during a Pilates lesson. These exercises were performed by each subject on his/her own at least three times a week for two months and together during other two Pilates group lessons. Finally, a second voice recording was performed, using the Praat software and under the very same condition of the first recording and a second self-assessment questionnaire was filled in. Results: The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test revealed that the Fo and Jitter parameters were not normally distributed, while the Shimmer and HNR resulted to be normally distributed. The averages of Shimmer and HNR parameters were thus analyzed through the T Test, while the F0 and Jitter parameters were analyzed through the Wilcoxon test. The analysis revealed that all the four parameters underwent statistically significant changes after the Pilates practice. Questionnaire results revealed that Pilates had a positive effect on voice production (15/15), especially on postural alignment (15/15) and respiratory capacity (13/15). Discussion: In our study the F0 increased after Pilates practice. This finding should be due to changes in the vocal folds length and tension, probably related to the postural exercises that had been performed, which conferred greater elasticity to the muscles. Contrariwise the Jitter parameter after exercising had decreased allowing us to conclude that Pilates helps to reduce vibratory perturbations of the vocal cords during vocal emission. This should have been obtained through a greater control of the respiratory dynamics provided by the exercises. The Shimmer parameter had also diminished, allowing us to hypothesize that the Pilates exercises, acting on the respiratory mechanisms, minimize intensity variations. On the contrary, HNR had increased suggesting that the amount of periodic signal in the voice after Pilates practice is greater than before. Since voices with a higher average HNR tend to be judged as more attractive, our results point to the fact that Pilates practice improves voice quality, as subjectively reported by the participants themselves. Conclusion: Our study has highlighted the positive role of Pilates on vocal production in singing students: in a relatively short time, simple exercises – performed regularly – have shown a significant impact on vocal quality. It is likely that the very same positive effects could also be obtained by other occupational voice users
The role of rhinomanometry, acoustic rhinometry, and mucociliary transport time in the assessment of nasal patency
No full textWe conducted a study of 60 patients with different nasal pathologies who complained of nasal obstruction. Our goal was to evaluate the reliability of rhinomanometry, acoustic rhinometry, and the measurement of mucociliary transport time in helping make the diagnosis of nasal pathologies. We also sought to discover whether there is a correlation between the findings of these objective tests and the results of patients' own subjective assessments of nasal obstruction. We found that acoustic rhinometry was more specific and more sensitive than rhinomanometry in diagnosing rhinopathies in patients with structural anomalies. Symptom scores as rated by patients on the visual analog scale frequently did not correlate with objective measures, as patients often overestimated the severity of their obstruction. However, for a few patients, there was a correlation between symptom scores and mucociliary transport times
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
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