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5 results on '"Rantala, L. (Leena)"'

1. A randomized controlled trial with female teachers:are there differences between and within the outcomes in voice therapy groups with and without carryover strategies?

Author

Pirilä, S. (Sirpa), Saarentaus, P. (Paula), Ansamaa, T. (Terhi), Niemitalo-Haapola, E. (Elina), Yliherva, A. (Anneli), Rantala, L. (Leena), Pirilä, S. (Sirpa), Saarentaus, P. (Paula), Ansamaa, T. (Terhi), Niemitalo-Haapola, E. (Elina), Yliherva, A. (Anneli), and Rantala, L. (Leena)

Abstract

Purpose: We investigated if outcomes differ between voice therapy groups systematically using carryover strategies (attempts to generalize new vocal skills outside the clinic) and voice therapy with no emphasis on any generalizing process (here referred to as traditional voice therapy). Method: A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Participants (53 female teachers with voice disorders) were randomly allocated into three groups: Carryover (a group receiving voice therapy using carryover strategies), Trad (a group receiving voice therapy with no emphasis on any generalizing process), Controls (a group on an eight-week non-therapy period). Prior to the trial a direct laryngoscopy was performed with a videolaryngostroboscopy system and/or nasofaryngofiberoscope with stroboscopy. Before and after therapy and at follow-up a voice evaluation protocol was implemented consisting of subjective assessments (Questionnaire on Voice Symptoms, and the Voice Activity and Participation Profile; VAPP), and objective measurements (voice sample recordings, acoustic analysis [SPL, sound pressure level; f₀, fundamental frequency; alpha-ratio, tilt of the sound spectrum slope]). Results: No differences were found between the groups. Several significant changes occurred within the groups between initial phase vs. post-therapy and initial phase vs. follow-up. In the Carryover group text reading the alpha-ratio became lower (P = 0.011) and spontaneous speech f₀ increased (P = 0.024) after the therapy and [a:] SPL increased (P = 0.042) at follow-up. In the Trad group post-therapy [a:] alpha-ratio became lower (P = 0.012) and spontaneous speech f₀ decreased (P = 0.034). After therapy VAPP scores showed improvement in voice-related quality of life in both therapy groups (Carryover P = 0.003; Trad P = 0.01) but only in Carryover at follow-up (P = 0.000). Voice symptoms decreased in the Carryover group post-therapy (P = 0.001) and at follow-up (P = 0.000) and after Controls’ eight

Published
2022

2. Effects of humidification of the vocal tract and respiratory muscle training in women with voice symptoms:a pilot study

Author

Huttunen, K. (Kerttu), Rantala, L. (Leena), Huttunen, K. (Kerttu), and Rantala, L. (Leena)

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of a 4-week breathing exercise intervention in participants with voice symptoms. Methods: Six nonsmoking women (mean age 49) experiencing voice symptoms used a novel device WellO₂ for respiratory exercises that provides counter pressure during both inspiration and expiration and warms and humidifies the breathing air. Speech samples were acoustically (Acoustic Voice Quality Index) and perceptually (grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, and strain scale) analyzed, and perceived voice symptoms and self-reported effort in breathing and phonation were obtained. Respiratory measurements included breathing frequency and pattern, peak expiratory flow, forced vital capacity, and forced expiratory volume in 1 minute. Results: The total scores of Acoustic Voice Quality Index and some of its subcomponents (shimmer and harmonic-to-noise ratio), and the grade, roughness, and strain of the GRBAS scale indicated significantly improved voice quality. However, neither the nature or frequency of the experienced voice symptoms nor the perceived phonatory effort changed as the function of intervention. According to the participants, their breathing was significantly less effortful after the intervention, although no significant changes were observed in the objective respiratory measurements with a spirometer. Conclusion: Training with the WellO₂ device has the potential to improve voice quality. The combination of inspiratory and expiratory training and warmed, humidified air is a multifaceted entity influencing several parts in the physiology of voice production. The effects of using WellO₂ need to be confirmed by further studies with a larger number of participants.

Published
2021

3. Teachers’ and children’s experiences after an acoustic intervention and a noise-controlling workshop in two elementary classrooms

Author

Pirilä, S. (Sirpa), Jokitulppo, J. (Jaana), Niemitalo-Haapola, E. (Elina), Yliherva, A. (Anneli), Rantala, L. (Leena), Pirilä, S. (Sirpa), Jokitulppo, J. (Jaana), Niemitalo-Haapola, E. (Elina), Yliherva, A. (Anneli), and Rantala, L. (Leena)

Abstract

Introduction: Treating sources of noise is a novel aspect of voice ergonomics intended to enhance the preconditions for good voice production and easy listening. Objective: To improve experiences of listening and voice ergonomics in classrooms. Methods: Participants were two female elementary school teachers with voice symptoms and their pupils (n = 50). Two interventions were performed: the acoustic intervention and then the workshop intervention where the teachers and pupils were active. Teachers’ voice symptoms and pupils’ and teachers’ experiences of the interventions were elicited by questionnaire. Results: The teacher with many voice symptoms experienced more annoyance from sounds and benefitted more from the interventions. After the interventions both teachers suffered fewer voice breaks and voice symptoms such as lump and mucus in the throat. The pupils reported improvement in the teachers’ voice clarity and audibility (p = 0.001). Pupils aged 12–13 years were more annoyed by sounds than those aged 8–9 years (p = 0.003). The older pupils experienced less sound annoyance after both interventions and the younger ones after the workshop intervention. Conclusions: The importance of good acoustics and individuals’ ability to improve voice ergonomics and listening conditions was demonstrated.

Published
2019

4. Autismikirjon häiriön varhainen tunnistaminen ja diagnosointi Suomessa:perheiden näkemys

Author

Yliherva, A. (Anneli), Rantala, L. (Leena), Ebeling, H. (Hanna), Gissler, M. (Mika), Parviainen, T. (Tarja), Tani, P. (Pekka), and Moilanen, I. (Irma)

Abstract

Tiivistelmä Tausta: Kartoitimme kyselyn avulla, miten vanhemmat ovat kokeneet lapsensa autismikirjon häiriön varhaisen tunnistamisen ja diagnosointiprosessin. Aineisto ja menetelmät: Kysely perustui ASDEU (the Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Europan Union) ‑hankkeen yhteiseen kyselyyn, joka käännettiin suomeksi. Kaikkiaan 51 perhettä vastasi verkkokyselyyn. Tulokset: Autismikirjon häiriö tunnistettiin keskimäärin 1,9 vuoden iässä (vaihtelu 1,1–5,2) ja diagnoosi asetettiin 3,9 vuoden iässä (vaihtelu 1,3–6,9). Vanhemmat olivat tyytyväisiä työntekijöiden ammattitaitoon mutta toivoivat, että heidän huolensa olisi otettu vakavasti ja lapsi lähetetty jatkotutkimuksiin nopeammin. Diagnoosin asettamisen jälkeen vanhemmat toivoivat lääkäriltä enemmän aikaa keskusteluun. Päätelmät: Vanhempia on tärkeä kuunnella autismikirjon häiriön tunnistamisessa, ja neuvolaseulontaa on hyvä kehittää. Siten olisi mahdollista varhentaa lapsen diagnoosin saamista. Abstract Background: The aim was to screen how parents have experienced identification and diagnosing of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Material and Methods: The survey was based on the ASDEU questionnaire, which was translated into the Finnish language. Altogether 51 families answered the web questionnaire. Results: ASD was identified at the age of 1.9 y (range 1.1–5.2) and the diagnosis set at 3.9 y (range 1.3–6.9). Parents were satisfied with the professionals’ skills, but wished that their concerns had been taken seriously and the children referred to further evaluations quickly. After setting the diagnosis, the parents wanted more time for discussion with a pediatrician. Conclusions: The time between the identification to diagnosis is still long in Finland. It is important to listen to the parents about the identification of autism, and it would be good to develop a screening of ASD in child health care centers.

Published
2018

5. Ääni työssä:naisopettajien äänenkäyttö ja äänen kuormittuminen

Author

Rantala, L. (Leena)

Subjects
acoustic, field study, professional voice users, working day
Abstract

The aim of this study was twofold: to develop a method for collecting voice data from natural working environments; and to study loading changes. Changes caused by loading were approached from two perspectives: the relationship between subjective complaints and objectively measured voice features, and the changes of objective variables during one working day. Subjects consisted of female teachers from primary and secondary schools. Six separate studies were carried out, the number of subjects for each one ranging from 3 to 33. The subjects were 33–59 years old. Recordings were made of their voices both during breaks and lessons with a portable DAT recorder. The recordings made during the breaks were collected on three days of one week, and four timeson each week. The speech samples of the lessons were taken from the first and last lesson of the day. Subjects filled in a questionnaire about their voice, which divided them into two groups: those with few complaints (the FC group) and those with many complaints (the MC group). In addition, three subjects performed a laboratory voice loading task. The speech sample recorded during breaks was a maximally sustained [a], from which fundamental frequency (F0), jitter and shimmer were analyzed. The lesson samples were analyzed for F0, its standard deviation (F0 SD), sound pressure level (SPL), its standard deviation (SPL SD), F0 time ( = active vibration time of the vocal folds) and long-time average spectrum (LTAS). The laboratory samples (a simple reading task) were measured for F0. Additionally, an index (F0 x F0 time/ 1000) for assessing voice loading is presented. The results showed that voice complaints correlated with objectively measured voice features: the more the complaints, the higher the F0 and SPL, the larger the F0 SD and the steeper the tilt of the LTAS, the latter indicating that the voices of the MC group had a tendency towards a hypofunctional voice usage. In addition, at the end of the working week the shimmer values of the MC group were lower than those of the FC group. During the working day, the F0 rose, F0 SD and SPL SD increased and the LTAS levelled out (changes towards a hyperfunctional voice usage). Some of these changes are caused by the classroom situation, some by the teachers themselves, and some (obviously the changes of the F0 and the LTAS) by physiological alterations. Interestingly, the main changes, which were the F0 rise and levelling of the spectrum, occurred in the FC-group. The changes possibly reflect a normal adaptation of the human body, and they may act as an alarm system for avoiding excessive strain and exhaustion. The voice loading index correlated with the voice complaints. The experiment showed that the used method is well suited for the measurement of voices in working places. The maximally sustained phonation proved to be a suitable voice task for the measurement of the voice in working places where subjects have to do a task independently. The results also showed that F0 yields different values in different conditions and with different voice tasks. This deserves attention when defining standards for acoustic variables.

Published
2000

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