Efficacy of Kinesio taping on Mutational Falsetto: A Double Blind, Randomized, Sham-controlled Trial.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES\nThis study aimed to assess the efficacy of Kinesio taping on male patients with mutational falsetto undergoing voice therapy.\n\n\nDESIGN\nDouble blind, randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial.\n\n\nPARTICIPANTS\nInterviews were conducted with thirty seven mutational falsetto patients. Included 32 participants were randomized and divided into two groups. Two were dropped out due to irregular attendance, 30 participants were included in final analysis.\n\n\nINTERVENTIONS\nThe study group was treated with voice therapy and applications of three different therapeutic Kinesio taping techniques with seven Kinesio tapes four times over two weeks, and the control group was treated with voice therapy, and applied to sham Kinesio taping.\n\n\nOUTCOME MEASURES\nThe values of fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, noise-harmonic ratio, maximum phonation time, Voice Handicap Index-10 scores, and Grade-Roughness-Breathiness-Asthenia-Strain Scale scores were recorded at the baseline and after the two weeks.\n\n\nRESULTS\nThere were significant differences between the study group and the control group with respect to the values of fundamental frequency (P\xa0=\xa00.011), jitter (P\xa0=\xa00.041), shimmer (P\xa0=\xa00.036), noise-harmonic ratio (P\xa0=\xa00.003), maximum phonation time (P ≤ 0.001), Voice Handicap Index-10 scores (P\xa0=\xa00.036), and Grade-Roughness-Breathiness-Asthenia-Strain Scale scores (P\xa0=\xa00.007; P ≤ 0.021; P\xa0=\xa00.022; P\xa0=\xa00.002; P\xa0=\xa00.021, respectively) at the end of the study.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nThe study demonstrated that Kinesio taping with voice therapy is an efficient and effective technique for treating mutational falsetto patients.