Fall Voice Conference and Presentation, VOXFIT® Research Study, and PYV!

The Weeks of October 10th and 17th BLOGs: 

Tuesday Toss Up: Fall Voice Conference and Presentation

(Check out the VIDEO HERE for a Fall Voice recap!)

Coming outta @thefallvoice conference on such a voice “high” as always!! I truly believe that if you’re not learning, you’re not GROWING. I LOVE continuing education and any opportunity to learn, grow, and collaborate with colleagues.

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And FallVoice is SUCH an incredible collaboration of laryngologists, otolaryngologists, and speech pathologists through our PASSIONS for voice, upper airway, dysphagia, & head/neck cancer… as well as for our PATIENTS AND RESEARCH! A record number of around 600 people at the conference this year.. and being in the environment of like-minded, inspiring, motivated professionals just LIGHTS me up. It was so wonderful to see everyone and meet a lot of new people as well.
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I am truly GRATEFUL to have been accepted to present my and @lamikhail ‘s research about developing the Optimal FitPro Voice Protocol at the PODIUM this year in SanFran! HUGE thank you to the Fall Voice committee, ALL of the AMAZING #fitpro participants in our study, and @oovostraw for being a big part of the research as well.
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My passions for VOICE and FITNESS continue to GROW through the years and I am so thankful to God that the DREAMS in my heart have led me to this point and will lead me further. I believe in pursuing those things that set your soul on fire, I believe in following your heart, and I believe in being brave. I am also grateful that despite not having my PhD (yet!), I can still do research and present it at national conferences. I’ve been blessed to “live” in both the MEDICAL and FITNESS worlds for many years now, which has allowed me to continue to pursue my passions and PURPOSE.
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See below for more on our RESULTS!

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#voxfit #thefallvoiceconference #voice #fitnessinstructor #research #fitness #speechpathology #speechpathologist #gratefulheart #passionandpurpose #pursuethosethingsthatsetyoursoulonfire #friends #colleagues #collaboration #lovetolearn #continuingeducation #occupationalvoiceuser #fitprovoiceprotocol #voicesfittoinspire #educationispower #awareness #sanfran

Hump Day Health: VOXFIT® Research Study

Check out the VIDEO featured above related to this informational post about our research study!

Our research that was recently presented at The Fall Voice Conference answered the question, “Does the daily practice of a structured voice exercise protocol affect the fitness instructor’s self-perceived vocal effort, vocal fatigue, and voice handicap?”...

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The study was led by two voice-specialized speech pathologists (who are also fitness instructors) and aimed to identify the most optimal Fitpro Voice Protocol and display the ease and applicability of this protocol into the fitness professional’s daily life (while conversing, teaching, and prior to/after teaching classes). A second aim of the 14 day study was to demonstrate the positive impact of this protocol on the fitpro’s voice: specifically related to vocal fatigue, vocal effort, voice handicap, and/or perceptual voice quality.

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Look for the ARTICLE soon for all details related to the METHODS and protocols (or ask me!!)… but in a nutshell, we had three groups who each adhered to a hydration protocol, performed a group-specific protocol (at specific times of the day depending on number of classes taught during the day etc.), and were required to complete questionnaires (Vocal Handicap Index 10, Vocal Effort Scale, and the Vocal Fatigue Index) as well as recite a standardized voice passage (The Rainbow Passage) via audio recording at Baseline, Day 7, and Day 14. The group protocols included semi-occluded vocal tract exercise progression and functional voice use strategies (specific to the participant’s commonly used language while teaching classes) using conversation training therapy (CTT) concepts and cup phonation. Group One’s protocol SOVTE  included straw phonation in water, Group Two’s included straw phonation outside of water, and Group Three’s involved use of the SingRing (convenient brass straw with variable resistance/occlusion levels made by @oovostraw ).

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I am SOOO grateful for all of our #fitpro participants, because our research had some AWESOME CONCLUSIONS!!!!!!

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Based on descriptive data analyses and statistical analyses using a Wilcoxon rank sum test, ALL THREE GROUPS (100% OF PARTICIPANTS IN ANY GROUP) DISPLAYED IMPROVEMENT (VHI-10, VES, VFI, and/or CAPE-V) FROM BASELINE TO DAY FOURTEEN. #yay #itworks #research 

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The data reveals it is expected that most improvement will occur with CONSISTENT practice lasting LONGER THAN ONE WEEK. #stayconsistent #staycommitted 

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GROUP ONE (straw in water+CTT+cup phonation) DISPLAYED THE MOST IMPROVEMENT ON VHI-10 SCORES (100%). #lowervoicehandicap 

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GROUP THREE (SingRing+CTT+cup phonation) DISPLAYED THE MOST IMPROVEMENT ON VES SCORES (89%). #lesseffort #moreease 

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GROUPS ONE and THREE DISPLAYED THE MOST IMPROVEMENT ON VFI SCORES (100%). #byebyevocalfatigue 

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GROUP ONE DISPLAYED THE MOST IMPROVEMENT ON CAPE-V SCORES (100%), ALTHOUGH ALL GROUPS DISPLAYED IMPROVEMENT. #bettervoicequality 

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GROUP THREE HAD THE LEAST NUMBER OF DROPOUTS BY THE END OF THE STUDY. #adherence #convenience #easytofitin 

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We also distributed a survey to all participants and it revealed some REALLY COOL results:

-95% perceived that the voice protocol POSITIVELY IMPACTED their voice

-84% reported they WOULD CONTINUE using their voice protocol

-95% agreed the protocol was “DOABLE” related to the length of time it took to perform 

-100% WOULD RECOMMEND THE USE OF A VOICE PROTOCOL TO OTHER FITPROS

-89% agreed that the use of a structured voice protocol makes them FEEL BETTER about the way the voice sounds and/or feels

-95% agreed that using a structured voice protocol has a POSITIVE IMPACT on their fitness instruction

-100% agreed that it is IMPORTANT to care for the VOICE and use it effectively, efficiently, and dynamically

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In addition, we distributed a surprise five month follow-up survey and OVER HALF of the participants affirmed that they were still using their protocol and/or exercises/strategies from the protocol. In narrative form, many fitpros mentioned their continued commitments to hydration, CTT strategy use when speaking, and performance of vocal warm ups before teaching. 

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Data display overwhelming agreement among fitness professionals that consistent performance of a voice protocol positively impacts the voice. Our conclusions revealed consistent positive changes (as compared to baseline) in the instructor’s self-perceptions of vocal effort, vocal fatigue, voice handicap, and perceptual voice quality.

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The MISSION of VOXFIT®️ in general and the RESEARCH I’ve done thus far all come from a place of PASSION and PURPOSE. I am grateful for all of the wonderful people that have been a huge part of the journey and grateful to God for putting this idea on my heart so long ago.  #followyourheart #followyourdreams #helpothers 

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#voxfit #research #voice #thefallvoiceconference #fitpro #fitnessinstructor #fitprovoiceprotocol #speechpathologist #voicespecialist #speechpathology #poweredbypassion #gratefulheart #voicesfittoinspire #occupationalvoiceuser 

REMEMBER to PRIORITIZE YOUR VOICE!  

How are YOU prioritizing your voice today? And everyday? As an OCCUPATIONAL VOICE USER, it should be one of your top priorities! 
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What do you need to know to keep your voice healthy?  You should understand how the voice works, how to protect and care for your voice, and how to use your voice and entire vocal mechanism in the most efficient, effective, and dynamic ways possible.  
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I’m super PASSIONATE about this population of voice users (I’m one and most of you are too!), and am HERE TO HELP! Reach out with any questions, concerns, or if you’d like to work together. Email me at [email protected] 
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#voxfit #desiretoinspire #aspiretoinspire #changelives #radiateconfidence #vocalinstrument #voice #voicefitness #vocalfitness #voicesfittoinspire #vocalathlete #occupationalvoiceuser #speechpathology #voicespecialist #teacher #instructor #fitnessinstructor #singer #performer #emcee #gamehost #clergy #sales #coach #speechpathologist #voicetherapy #voicedisorders #prioritizeyourvoice