The Study of Vocal Fatigue Symptoms in Speech Therapy Students by Focusing on In-Turned and Ex-Turned Students

Peyman Zamani; Mohammad  Akhani; Yasaman Negravi; Donya  Hatami-Monjezi; Ayda  Abdi-Dezfuli; Mohammad Rezaei

doi:10.18502/jmr.v16i4.10760

Peyman Zamani Hearing Research Center, Clinical Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
Mohammad Akhani Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
Yasaman Negravi Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
Donya Hatami-Monjezi Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
Ayda Abdi-Dezfuli Department of Speech Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
Mohammad Rezaei Autism Spectrum Disorders Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jmr.v16i4.10760

Keywords: Vocal fatigue; Speech therapy; Student

Abstract

Introduction: The voice is a professional tool for speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Due to the daily professional use of voice, SLPs, especially novices in this profession are exposed to voice injuries and disorders. Identifying high-risk vocal behaviors in this group can prevent the spread of more serious laryngeal injuries. This study aimed to investigate voice fatigue symptoms in speech therapy students.

Materials and Methods: In this study, 129 speech therapy students were divided into two main groups of in-turns and ex-turns. In three sections of the semester (beginning, middle, and end), the vocal fatigue index (VFI) questionnaire and two auditory-perceptual voice scales were completed for both groups. The within-between comparisons were made by considering other side factors, such as gender and students’ professional knowledge status in SPSS software v. 19.0.

Results: In the in-turns group, the mean score of VFI at the middle (P=0.025) and the end (P=0.010) of the semester were significantly higher than at the beginning of the semester. Also, the mean score VFI of the in-turns at the middle and end of the semester were higher than of the ex-turned speech therapy students (P=0.011). The effects of students’ gender and their knowledge status on the findings were not statistically significant (P>0.05).

Conclusion: This study showed that new vocal-speech behaviors related to clinical activities in the clinic environment of speech therapy can increase laryngeal tensions and vocal fatigue in in-turned speech therapy students.