title: The Effect of Loudness Variation on Velopharyngeal Function in Children with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: A Pilot Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22qDS) often require surgical intervention to treat velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD). Although some studies have documented improved velopharyngeal (VP) closure under increased speaking effort, currently no studies have examined the effect of similar behavioral speech modifications on VP closure in children with 22qDS. The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the effect of loudness on VP closure during speech in children with 22qDS and persisting VPD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four children with 22qDS, posterior pharyngeal flap, and persisting mild VPD underwent pressure-flow testing while repeating words at habitual and increased loudness levels. Using a single-subject A-B design, descriptive statistics and graphical measures were used to examine differences in VP orifice area (VPA) and timing of closure in the habitual versus loud condition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results were mixed. Median VPA decreased during some stimuli for 3 participants, but increased for 1 subject when speaking louder. Median duration of nasal airflow decreased for 3 participants in the loud condition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study presents preliminary aerodynamic data regarding the plasticity of VP physiology in the 22qDS group. Further research is needed to determine how loudness impacts VP function in children with 22qDS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech and Language Pathology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Caitlin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cummings
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McCauley
authors.forename: Adriane
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baylis
mesh_terms: D058165:22q11 Deletion Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D010699:Phonation / Q000502:physiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation / Q000502:physiology; D013061:Speech Acoustics; D013070:Speech Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D014681:Velopharyngeal Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D055158:Velopharyngeal Sphincter / Q000503:physiopathology