Effect of a Workplace Vocal Health Promotion Program and Working Conditions on Voice Functioning of College Professors

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect of a Workplace Vocal Health Promotion Program (WVHPP) and working conditions on voice functioning of college professors.

Study design: This is a pre-post intervention study.

Methods: College professors were randomly assigned in a control group or an intervention group. Participants filled out a questionnaire and recorded a voice sample at baseline and at the end of the follow-up. This program contains four sessions (2 face-to-face and 2 virtual sessions; one per week) focused on voice hygiene, vocal training, and strategies to modify teaching-learning process.

Results: The Intervention group (n = 15) showed increased scores in V-RQOL in comparison with the control group (n = 14), but the effect was not statistically significant. After the program, shimmer decreased (P = 0.05), whereas MPT and HNR increased (P = 0.02 and 0.04 respectively) among professors in the intervention group after the implementation of the WVHPP. Concerning working conditions, number of students per class was statistically associated with SPL. MPT was statistically associated with age and good acoustics inside the classroom.

Conclusions: Our results indicate that implementation of a WVHPP, as well as working conditions, influence voice functioning measured by means of instrumental voice measures and voice-related quality of life. Therefore, workplace promotion programs may be good approaches to decrease the high prevalence of voice disorders among professors.

Keywords: Occupational voice user; Teachers; Vocal health promotion; Voice program; Working conditions.