An Introduction to Multi-modal Therapy Methods: A Pilot Study on Professional Singers with Moderate to Severe Dysphonia
Introduction: Professional voice users are highly vulnerable to phonatory trauma, and therapeutic planning requires special consideration due to their high vocal demands. This pilot study introduces a multimodal therapy approach developed after years of clinical experience in the field of professional voice rehabilitation. The study examined the outcomes of targeted therapy in three singers (1 female, 2 mails) presenting with moderate to severe dysphonia, including two cases of severe muscle tension dysphonia.
Methods: Three professional singers underwent 10 sessions of individualized therapy programs integrating laryngeal manual therapy with emphasis on the sternocleidomastoid and suprahyoid muscles, head and neck repositioning, soft phonation exercises, and breathing support training. Pre- and post-therapy assessments consisted acoustic analysis using Cepstral Peak Prominence (CPP) and auditory-perceptual evaluations (CAPE-V). Participants were followed up three months post-therapy to monitor the stability of vocal improvements. Descriptive Statistics used to analyze data.
Results: All three participants demonstrated significant improvement in vocal quality following therapy. CPP values increased consistently across participants, aligning with enhanced perceptual ratings of reduced breathiness, strain, and roughness. At three-month follow-up, all participants maintained their vocal gains, with no recurrence of vocal quality decline.
Conclusion: The multi modal therapy method, integrating manual, respiratory, and phonatory techniques, proved effective and durable in restoring voice function in professional singers with moderate to severe dysphonia. The sustained gains in both acoustic and perceptual measures highlight the clinical value of comprehensive, individualized interventions for high-demand voice users.