ABSTRACT Purpose To determine the effect of an online Workplace Vocal Health and Low Stress Levels (WVHLS) Promotion Program implemented in a Colombian university during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This research was a quasi-experimental study. Twenty-nine professors participated in this study within two groups: (1) intervention group (n=17) or (2) non-intervention group (n=12). Participants in the intervention group took part in four virtual sessions about how to improve vocal health and strategies to reduce stress levels during their homeworking and online classes. Teachers filled in a questionnaire including questions about working conditions, work-related stress, and the voice functioning (including the Vocal Fatigue Index-VFI). They also recorded a voice sample of a sustained vowel on two separate occasions (before and after the follow-up). Results At the end of the follow-up, there was a tendency to reduce Factor 1 of VFI in the intervention group. Although, all participants had a longer MPT at the end of the study compared with the baseline measures, males in the intervention group had longer MPT compared with other participants. Conclusion Our results suggest a positive effect of a WVHLS promotion program on reducing vocal fatigue perception measured by means of the Vocal Fatigue Index and improving coordination and control of breathing speech measured MPT. These changes at the end of the follow-up may indicate that holistic programs that include voice care recommendations, breathing exercises, vocal warm-up, cold-down and laryngeal relaxation vocal exercises, and stress management may be beneficial for reducing work-related stress and voice symptoms among professors.

RESUMO Objetivo Determinar o efeito de um programa online de saúde vocal no local de trabalho e de redução dos níveis de estresse (SVLTRNE, ou por sua sigla em inglês, WVHLS - Workplace Vocal Health and Low Stress Levels), implementado em uma universidade colombiana durante a pandemia da COVID-19. Método O desenho do estudo foi quase experimental, com a participação de vinte e nove professores, separados em dois grupos: grupo intervenção (n=17) e grupo controle (n=12). Os participantes do grupo de intervenção participaram de quatro sessões virtuais que abordaram como melhorar a saúde vocal e as estratégias para reduzir os níveis de estresse durante o trabalho. Os professores preencheram um questionário que incluía questões sobre condições de trabalho, estresse relacionado ao trabalho e índice de fadiga vocal (IFV). Também foi gravada uma amostra de voz com uma vogal sustentada, em duas ocasiões diferentes (antes e depois da intervenção). Resultados No final desse estudo, foi observada uma tendência à redução do Fator 1 do IFV no grupo intervenção. Embora todos os participantes tivessem um TMF mais longo no final do estudo em comparação com as medidas basais, os homens do grupo de intervenção tiveram TMF mais longo em comparação com outros participantes. Conclusão Os resultados deste estudo sugerem um efeito positivo do programa de promoção WVHLS na redução da percepção de fadiga vocal e na melhora da coordenação e controle da coordenação pneumofônica, medidos com o IFV e TMF. Essas mudanças, observadas ao final do estudo, podem indicar que programas holísticos que incluem recomendações de cuidados com a voz, exercícios respiratórios, exercícios vocais de aquecimento e resfriamento, exercícios vocais de relaxamento laríngeo e controle do estresse podem ser benéficos para reduzir o estresse relacionado ao trabalho e sintomas vocais em professores.

Resumen La pandemia del coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) ha creado un nuevo escenario para la morbilidad vocal y psicológica entre la población mundial. Los usuarios ocupacionales de la voz se han tenido que adaptar a estas circunstancias únicas, enfrentando nuevos riesgos que aumentan las probabilidades de desarrollar y agravar desórdenes vocales y mentales. Este documento aborda algunos de estos desafíos durante y después de la pandemia del COVID-19. Un resultado sustancial que fue identificado fue la incidencia de los factores relacionados con el trabajo online sobre la salud vocal y mental de los usuarios ocupacionales de la voz. Las intervenciones deberían enfocarse en la evaluación exhaustiva de los factores de riesgo, incluyendo el estudio de la salud mental previo a una crisis, circunstancias que amenacen la vida, separación de la familia, pánico y duelo. De forma similar, este tipo de trabajador debe recibir instrucciones en entrenamiento vocal, técnicas de relajación muscular y mindfulness, y tecnología educativa.

Abstract The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created a new scenario for vocal and psychological morbidity among the entire population. Occupational voice users have had to adapt to these unique circumstances, confronting brand-new risks that increase the odds of developing and exacerbate vocal and mental health disorders. This paper addresses some of these challenges during and after COVID-19 pandemic. As a major outcome, we identified that work-related factors in online environments could be altering the vocal and mental health among occupational voice users. Interventions should focus on a comprehensive assessment of risk factors, including poor mental health previous to a crisis, life-threatening circumstances, separation from family, panic and bereavement. Similarly, this type of worker must receive instructions in voice training, muscle relaxation and mindfulness techniques, and educational technology.

Resumen Introducción. La amplificación vocal se ha utilizado como una herramienta para prevenir desórdenes de voz en profesores. Objetivos. Conocer los cambios reportados sobre el comportamiento vocal cuando los profesores utilizan sistemas de amplificación vocal y hacer una comparación entre el antes y el después de su uso. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó una revisión de artículos en cuatro bases de datos y se seleccionaron 11 bajo criterios de inclusión y exclusión: 3 presentaron un nivel de evidencia IIb, mientras que 8, IV. Se analizó la información de los artículos para recolectar datos sobre los efectos en el comportamiento vocal a nivel perceptivo y acústico frente al uso de amplificación vocal. Resultados. Los participantes tuvieron una reducción en la intensidad y en la frecuencia fundamental con mayores efectos en la población sin desorden de voz. Hubo una disminución significativa de la dosis de distancia a diferencia de la dosis de ciclo. En los cuestionarios se infirió un descenso en síntomas, reducción de la carga vocal y mejora en la comunicación. Conclusión. Los amplificadores de voz sirven para prevenir trastornos de la voz. Investigaciones futuras deberán manejar un rigor investigativo en los niveles de evidencia y un diseño de estudio que permita obtener resultados consistentes en diferentes usuarios de la voz.

Abstract Introduction: Voice amplifiers have been used as tools to prevent voice disorders in teachers. Objectives: To know reported changes in vocal behavior when teachers use voice amplification systems and to make a comparison before and after their use. Materials and methods: A review of articles was carried out in four databases and 11 were selected following inclusion and exclusion criteria; the level of evidence was IIb in 3 of them and IV in 8. The information of the articles was analyzed to collect data on the effects on perceptual and acoustic vocal behavior versus the use of voice amplification. Results: The participants showed a decrease in the intensity and fundamental frequency, with greater effects on the population without a speech disorder. There was a significant decrease in the distance dose as opposed to the cycle dose. A decrease in symptoms was inferred from the questionnaires, as well as a reduction of vocal load and improvement in communication. Conclusion: Voice amplifiers are a tool for preventing voice disorders. Future research should be more rigorous regarding the levels of evidence and include a study design that allows obtaining consistent results in different voice users.