Physical therapy as a means to optimize posture and voice parameters in student classical singers: a case report.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed at reporting on an intervention for optimizing postural alignment and voice parameters.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
A clinical examination, including an evaluation of postural alignment, was performed and several voice parameters were investigated before, during, and after an individual rehabilitation program aimed at optimizing joint mobility, muscular stability, and posture. This program was given to a 26-year-old female classical singing student.


RESULTS
After a nine-session intervention (4 months), postural alignment was improved. The patient showed a good breath support and was able to maintain the lateral dimensions of the thorax, except for the high tones. Furthermore, she had a normalized cervical and scapulothoracic stability. At the last session, she had a lack of relaxation of the masseter muscle while singing. The vocal dynamic and pitch range were extended with smoother curves connecting the measuring points of the maximal and minimal vocal intensity, measured by means of the voice range profile.


CONCLUSIONS
Results show that, in this student singer, postural alignment could be changed within 4 months and that it could influence some voice parameters. Further research in larger samples is necessary to see whether these findings can be generalized to other singers.
Staes
Filip F
FF
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. Filip.Staes@faber.kuleuven.be
Jansen
Lieve
L
Vilette
Ann
A
Coveliers
Yannick
Y
Daniels
Kim
K
Decoster
Wivine
W
D000328:Adult; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009146:Music; D010699:Phonation; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D004856:Postural Balance; D011187:Posture; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013018:Sound Spectrography; D013068:Speech Production Measurement; D013997:Time Factors; D014741:Video Recording; D014833:Voice Quality; D014834:Voice Training