The Putative Involvement of the Transabdominal Muscles in Dysphonia: A Preliminary Study and Thoughts

Fitzmaurice Voicework: theory, practice, and related research

“…Contraction of the transversus abdominis as proposed by FV Restructuring is consistent with a study by Rubin, Macdonald, and Blake (2011) in which the authors postulate that "controlled elevation of the diaphragm through transversus abdominus contraction" helps to maintain appropriate and efficient levels of subglottal pressure for speaking. The article notes that the muscles of the transversus abdominus interdigitate "with the costal component of the diaphragm as it attaches onto the distal ribs."…”

The Effects of Hyper- and Hypocapnia on Phonatory Laryngeal Airway Resistance in Women

“…However, some speculative discussion about the possible relevance of results in these populations is warranted. To be specific, suggestions have been made that one common voice problem, primary muscle tension dysphonia (MTD-1), may be associated with abnormal coordinative patterns not only at the laryngeal level but also across respiratory and laryngeal subsystems of phonation (Hixon & Putnam, 1983;Morrison & Rammage, 1993;Rubin, Macdonald, & Blake, 2010). MTD-1 is defined as a voice disturbance in the absence of known structural or neurologic abnormalities (Roy, 2003).…”

An Investigation of Abdominal Muscle Recruitment for Sustained Phonation in 25 Healthy Singers

“…This is a well-documented process demonstrating acceptable intratester reliability. 23,24,26,27 The measurement procedure involved a caliper-based calculation of muscle thickness of the TAM and IOM. Muscle thickness (at rest and contraction) was measured at the junction between the most posterior fibers and the abdominal cavity.…”

“…The use of ultrasound as a safe tool for observing abdominal wall muscular activity is well-documented [20][21][22] and has previously been used by our team, 23,24 and Rowson and Blake, unpublished data, 2009. 25 It is useful for real-time phonatory research.…”

“…25 It is useful for real-time phonatory research. Recent studies 23,24 have used ultrasound technology and have investigated the function of the TAM and internal oblique muscle (IOM) in small groups of healthy and dysphonic individuals. However, this type of research is still in its infancy and a database of normals is requisite to the development of sound management strategies.…”