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

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] or [email protected]. 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.

Conditions

• Singing
• Breathing Exercise
• Osteopathy

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

CVT Support intervention

The CVT Emergency Aid program focused on optimising the work on the diaphragm was conducted in 3 steps. Step 1 related to establishing diaphragmatic breathing by feeling expansion around lower ribs at inhalation. Step 2 related to establishing connection between pulmonary pressure and subtotal pressurisation by invoking inwards abdominal movements on controlled exhaled voiceless exercises (ssss-sound) Step 3 related to establishing dynamic control of subglottal pressure by performing fricative voice sounds (vvvf- and zzz-sounds) while contracting the abdominal wall inwards and thereby pressurising the pulmonary space leading to increased subglottal pressure on accents and extended pitch accents.

PROCEDURE

Dooming Diaphragm

Osteopathic treatment: Dooming Diaphragm. The inferior costal margin was contacted with the hands, allowing the thumbs to rest just below the ribcage anteriorly. Care was taken to avoid contact with the xiphoid process, as this could cause discomfort for the patient. The patient was instructed to breathe deeply, and as they exhaled, gentle pressure was applied superiorly and laterally with the thumbs, rolling them underneath the ribcage as far as was comfortable. This process was repeated for 3-5 breath cycles or until no tension was felt in the thumbs during exhalation.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Buckinghamshire New University

  collaborator OTHER

• Complete Vocal Institute

  lead INDUSTRY

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

50 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-03-03

Primary Completion

2025-03-07

Completion

2025-04-28

Countries

• Denmark

Study Locations