Sinkiewicz Anna, Garstecka Agnieszka, Mackiewicz-Nartowicz Hanna, Nawrocka Lidia, Wojciechowska Wioletta, Szkiełkowska Agata
Uniwersytet Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu / Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Toruń, Poland (Collegium Medicum w Bydgoszczy, Katedra Otolaryngologii, Foniatrii i Audiologii / Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Department of Otolaryngology, Phoniatrics and Audiology).
Kolejowy Szpital Uzdrowiskowy Sp. z o.o. w Ciechocinku / Railway Health Resort Hospital in Ciechocinek, Ciechocinek, Poland.
Med Pr. 2021 Aug 31;72(4):399-405. doi: 10.13075/mp.5893.01116. Epub 2021 Jul 1.
Voice diseases occupy the third place among all of the diagnosed occupational disorders in Poland. There still exists the necessity to implement effective and economical methods of the primary and secondary prevention of voice disorders in teachers. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of comprehensive voice rehabilitation in teachers, conducted within a health resort hospital.
The results of comprehensive voice rehabilitation in 100 teachers with job seniority of 10-30 years (M = 17 years), conducted during 24-day-long staying in a sanatorium, are presented in this research. Phoniatrical and laryngological examinations (maximum phonation time [MPT], perceptual assessment of voice in GRBAS scale, laryngovideostroboscopy, and acoustic analysis of voice), self-assessment of voice (the - VHI), logopedical estimation and audiometry were conducted during the first and the last day of the sanatorium stay. The therapeutic program included educational workshops on vocal hygiene, voice therapy, physiotherapy and psychotherapy. The inpatient therapy effects were also described by the teachers using a questionnaire.
Improvements of objective acoustic parameters, a perceptual assessment of voice, and a self-assessment of VHI and MPT were observed. Phonation style changes were confirmed in the laryngovideostroboscopic examination. Phonation closure improved significantly in 30% of the examined teachers. Moreover, 97% of the participants confirmed in the questionnaire the effectiveness and purposefulness of periodic recurrence of such rehabilitation courses.
The results of this research as well as the positive feedback from the participants of inpatient rehabilitation confirmed the effectiveness of occupational voice disorder rehabilitation in sanatorium (inpatient) conditions. Treatment and rehabilitation in a stationary form should aim to achieve voice improvement and job continuation. Such a procedure may contribute to reducing the financial outlays related to treatment, health leaves and occupational pensions. Med Pr. 2021;72(4):399-405.
