title: Effectiveness of a Voice Training Program for Student Teachers on Vocal Health.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The effectiveness of a preventive training program on vocal health for German student teachers was investigated on specific vocal parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  The voice quality as described by the Dysphonia Severity Index of 204 student teachers (training group: n = 123; control group: n = 81) was measured at the beginning and at the end of the student teachers training period (duration 1.5 years). Additionally, for investigating the voice-carrying capacity, a vocal loading test (VLT) was performed. Finally, participants had to provide a subjective judgment of a possible Voice Handicap Index.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The training program improved the voice quality of the trained group compared with that of the control group, whose voice quality declined. The trained group was also able to better sustain their voice quality across the VLT than the control group. Both groups, however, reported a similar increase in subjective vocal strain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presented training program clearly showed a positive impact on the voice quality and the vocal capacity. The results maintain the importance of such a training program to be integrated in the education and occupational routine of teachers.
authors.affiliation: Freiburg Institute of Musicians' Medicine, University of Music and University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany. Electronic address: bernhard.richter@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.affiliation: Freiburg Institute of Musicians' Medicine, University of Music and University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nusseck
authors.affiliation: Freiburg Institute of Musicians' Medicine, University of Music and University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Spahn
authors.affiliation: Freiburg Institute of Musicians' Medicine, University of Music and University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Echternach
mesh_terms: D000162:Acoustics; D000328:Adult; D055154:Dysphonia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016272:Occupational Health; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013068:Speech Production Measurement; D013334:Students; D000070260:Teacher Training / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D014833:Voice Quality; D014834:Voice Training; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Prevention; Teachers; Vocal health; Vocal loading; Voice