2017 Volume 58 Issue 2 Pages 152-158
Since 2013, we have employed the original method of Vocal Function Exercises (VFE) for the treatment of presbyphonia. To clarify its efficacy, we evaluated the pre- and post-treatment qualities of voice by various measures. The subjects were 13 males and 8 females. Ages ranged from 67 to 80 years old with an average of 72.4 years. The subjects were treated with the "base program" for 6-8 weeks and by "maintenance program" for about 7 weeks. Completion rate was 85.7% for the base program and 66.7% for the maintenance program administered to completers of the base program. After completion of the base program, significant improvements were observed in G grade, maximum phonation time (MPT), mean flow rate (MFR), highest frequency, vocal range, and VHI-10. Maximum expiration time (MET) also tended toward prolongation. In comparison with the pre-treatment voice, G grade, MPT, MFR, and VHI-10 significantly improved after the maintenance program. Highest frequency also showed a trend toward expansion. These results further support the view that VFE is one of the effective voice therapies for presbyphonia.
