Effects of Biofeedback System Based on Skin Vibration during Tube Phonation

Abstract

In tube phonation for voice therapy, sensation of the skin vibration around the lips is considered to be an important feedback for patients with voice disorders. However, this information has not been utilized effectively in vocal practice. In the present study, we thus developed a biofeedback (BF) system which can provide the amplitude of the skin vibration of the upper labial area as feedback visually and in real time. Effects of the system were evaluated in ten undergraduate students who have normal healthy voice. They were asked to increase the vibration amplitude of the upper labial area during 50 times of tube phonation under two conditions, with and without the BF. Changes of the subjective vibration sensation and the vibration amplitude were compared for each condition. The results showed that both the subjective sensation of vibration and the skin vibration amplitude increased significantly in the condition with the BF. In tube phonation for voice therapy, it is important to provide objective feedback appropriately for increasing the vibration amplitude.