Acoustic Parameters After Vocal Technique Associated With Virtual Reality With Electromyographic Biofeedback and Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation in Individuals With Parkinson's Disease.

Abstract

Objective: To compare the post technique effect of pushing with plosive sounds associated with virtual reality (VR) using electromyographic biofeedback and rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) on acoustic parameters in the voice of individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Method: The study sample included 30 individuals with PD (15 men and 15 women), with a mean age of 62.13 ± 9.05 years. All participants underwent vocal exercises associated with VR and RAS interventions. The first intervention was randomly assigned, and the second was conducted after 7 days. Speech tasks were recorded before and after interventions. The study analyzed the acoustic voice parameters from these recordings, assessed the participants' satisfaction after VR and RAS, and surveyed their preference between these strategies.

Results: The jitter, shimmer, and vocal irregularity parameters of the individuals with PD improved after the vocal technique associated with RAS. No improvements in these parameters were observed with VR. The comparison between RAS and VR results showed a reduction in shimmer with RAS. Participants reported a significant preference for VR rather than RAS in combination with vocal exercises.

Conclusion: The vocal technique associated with RAS applied to individuals with PD improved vocal parameters related to sound wave perturbation. The study population preferred VR to RAS.