ORIGINAL PAPER
Evaluation of the results of the prevention program “Protect your voice” implemented by The Greater Poland Center of Occupational Medicine of Poznań
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1
Wielkopolskie Centrum Medycyny Pracy / Greater Poland Center of Occupational Medicine, Poznań, Poland
2
Uniwersytet Medyczny im. Karola Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu / Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland (Katedra i Klinika Dermatologii i Wenerologii / Department of Dermatology and Venerology)
3
Uniwersytet Medyczny im. Karola Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu / Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland (Katedra i Klinika Foniatrii i Audiologii / Department of Phoniatrics and Audiology)
Online publication date: 2017-07-11
Corresponding author
Magdalena Jałowska
Uniwersytet Medyczny im. Karola Marcinkowskiego
w Poznaniu, Klinika i Katedra Dermatologii i Wenerologii, ul. Przybyszewskiego 49, 60-355 Poznań
Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2017;68(5):593-603
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ABSTRACT
Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the rationale for training in voice emission and voice prophylaxis among teachers
and to assess the effects of voice disorders rehabilitation in the selected group of teachers participating in the program “Protect
your voice.” Material and Methods: An anonymous survey was conducted among 463 teachers participating in the training part
of the program. The effectivness of rehabilitation of teachers with occupational voice disorders was evaluated among 51 subjects
(average age: 43 years) taking part in diagnostic and rehabilitation part of the program. Phonation voice exercises with speech
therapist and physiotherapy (iontophoresis, inhalations and elektrostimulation) were administered. Evaluation of rehabilitation
was based on phoniatric examination, including videostroboscopy and statistical calculations. Results: The survey showed that
among teachers there is high demand (98%) for training in proper voice emission, hygiene and prevention of voice. The effectiveness
of rehabilitation has been confirmed by the observed improvements in phonatory activities of larynx, proper breathing during
phonation (p = 0.0000), the voice quality (p = 0.0022), prolonged phonation time (an average of 1.39 s), increased number of
people who correctly activated resonators (p = 0.0000) and increased number of people with phonation without excesive muscle
tension of the neck. Conclusions: The results indicate that among all the professionally active teachers, there is a need for regular
training of proper voice emission and vocal hygiene and then conduct individually phonation and breathing exercises, supported
by the physiotherapy. This should be an effective method of voice disorders prevention in teachers. Med Pr 2017;68(5):593–603