Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of relative fundamental frequency (RFF) in quantifying voice disorder severity and possible change with treatment in individuals with Primary Sjögren's Syndrome (SS). Participants completed twice-daily audio recordings during an ABAB within-subjects experimental study investigating the effects of nebulized saline on voice production in this population. Voice samples of the Rainbow Passage from seven of the eight individuals with Primary SS involved in a larger investigation met inclusion criteria for analysis, for a total of 555 tokens. The results indicated that RFF values for this sample were similar to previously reported RFF values for individuals with voice disorders. RFF values improved with nebulized saline treatment but did not fall within the normal range for typical speakers. These findings were similar to other populations of voice disorders who experienced improvement, but not complete normalization, of RFF with treatment. Patient-based factors, such as age and diagnosis as well as measurement and methodological factors, might affect RFF values. The results from this study indicate that RFF is a potentially useful measure in quantifying voice production and disorder severity in individuals with Primary SS.

Degree

MS

College and Department

David O. McKay School of Education; Communication Disorders

Rights

http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/

Date Submitted

2014-11-01

Document Type

Thesis

Handle

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/etd7334

Keywords

Sjögren's Syndrome, RFF, vocal fold hydration, nebulized saline

Language

english

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