The Effect of Osteopathy and Complete Vocal Technique on Phonation in Amateur Singers

Plain-language summary

This study is about breathing function during singing, specifically aimed at improving the functionof the muscles in the respiratory system involved in control over the voice.The goal of the study is to examine if osteopathic techniques and/or work with support developedby Complete Vocal Institute influences voice quality and sense of ease using voice.The study compares two types of interventions:1: An osteopathic optimization treatment for diaphragm, a major muscle responsible for breathing.And2: A singing technique for learning stamina.Both techniques work on improving patterns of breathing which should make singing feel easier and lower future risks of injury and strain. The study takes place at Complete Vocal Institute where participant voices will be recorded by a microphone and by a laryngograph. In using the laryngograph, two gold-plated electrodes will be placed over the larynx. A microphone records the voice whereas EGG-electrodes record how the vocal folds are vibrating. Measurements are made before each type of treatment and after each treatment. Both are non-invasive and carry no risk to the voice. The recordings will be done in a sound-treated room for privacy.The singing intervention will involve breathing exercises, and the osteopathic treatment will involve a single fascia treatment. It is possible that the osteopathic treatment can leave participant diaphragms and the area around the lower ribs sore, this is normal and is expected to last no more than 24-48 hours. Each session is expected to last approximately one hour, and only a single visit will be required.To ensure comfort, please wear loose-fitting clothing that allows for easy breathing and singing. For one part of the intervention, participants will be asked to remove clothing like one would for any physical massage, so the therapist can access and treat the diaphragm.There are no costs involved nor compensation for participation in the study. Participation is completely voluntary. Should participants at any time wish to withdraw from the study, they are free to do so by informing Julie Bie at julie@netfyssen.dk hereof.All data will be anonymized and any information that could identify participants as a subject will be kept strictly confidential. No personal information will be included in the study report or other publication arising from the project analysis.If there have any questions, please contact the investigators at julie@netfyssen.dk or mathias@shout.dk. This research is being overseen by an Institutional Review Board ("IRB"). The two therapists involved in this study are insured, and the study has received favorable approval from the Ethics Committee of Buckinghamshire New University.

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