Open AccessRandomized Controlled Trial of Supplemental Augmentative and Alternative Communication versus Voice Rest Alone after Phonomicrosurgery
Author(s) -
Rousseau Bernard,
Gutmann Michelle L.,
Mau Theodore,
Francis David O.,
Johnson Jeffrey P.,
Novaleski Carolyn K.,
Vinson Kimberly N.,
Garrett C. Gaelyn
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
otolaryngology–head and neck surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.232
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1097-6817
pISSN - 0194-5998
DOI - 10.1177/0194599814566601
Subject(s) - randomized controlled trial , observational study , medicine , rest (music) , augmentative and alternative communication , audiology , physical therapy , surgery , psychiatry
Objective This randomized trial investigated voice rest and supplemental text‐to‐speech communication versus voice rest alone on visual analog scale measures of communication effectiveness and magnitude of voice use. Study Design Randomized clinical trial. Setting Multicenter outpatient voice clinics. Subjects Thirty‐seven patients undergoing phonomicrosurgery. Methods Patients undergoing phonomicrosurgery were randomized to voice rest and supplemental text‐to‐speech communication or voice rest alone. The primary outcome measure was the impact of voice rest on ability to communicate effectively over a 7‐day period. Pre‐ and postoperative magnitude of voice use was also measured as an observational outcome. Results Patients randomized to voice rest and supplemental text‐to‐speech communication reported higher median communication effectiveness on each postoperative day compared to those randomized to voice rest alone, with significantly higher median communication effectiveness on postoperative days 3 ( P =. 03) and 5 ( P =. 01). Magnitude of voice use did not differ on any preoperative ( P >. 05) or postoperative day ( P >. 05), nor did patients significantly decrease voice use as the surgery date approached ( P >. 05). However, there was a significant reduction in median voice use pre‐ to postoperatively across patients ( P <. 001) with median voice use ranging from 0 to 3 throughout the postoperative week. Conclusion Supplemental text‐to‐speech communication increased patient‐perceived communication effectiveness on postoperative days 3 and 5 over voice rest alone. With the prevalence of smartphones and the widespread use of text messaging, supplemental text‐to‐speech communication may provide an accessible and cost‐effective communication option for patients on vocal restrictions.