Investigation of Voice Change in Stroke Individuals in the Subacute Period Compared to the Acute Period

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the results of voice assessment in stroke survivors with the results of voice assessment in the subacute period and to examine spontaneous voice changes. Material and Methods: The study was carried out with 37 (22 males, 15 females) individuals with a mean age of 66,65±9,63 years. Acoustic and aerodynamic voice assessments [maximum phonation time (MPT) and s/z ratio] were performed. Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10), and Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL) were applied. All assessments were performed within 1 week and 1 month after the stroke. Results: MPT was 6.279±3.544 in the acute period and 7.461±4.875 in the subacute period. There was no statistically significant difference in aerodynamic measurement results or V-ROQL in the subacute period compared to the acute period (p>0.05). The fundamental frequency value increased statistically significantly in women, men, and all participants. VHI-10 decreased statistically significantly (p<0.05) in all participants. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the voice of stroke patients in the acute phase using both subjective and objective methods. It was found that the MPT of stroke patients was limited, and the Shimmer values of acoustic parameters were above normal limits. In the subacute phase, it was observed that phonation durations were still low and Shimmer values tended to increase. Therefore, acoustic, aerodynamic, and specific voice evaluations, especially maximum phonation durations, should be performed in stroke patients in the acute period.