Combined SOVT and Respiratory Exercises: Effects on MPT and Respiratory Function

June 28, 2026 updated by: Rukiye Gülcan ANDEROĞLU, Hasan Kalyoncu University

Effects of Combined Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract (SOVT) and Respiratory Exercises on Maximum Phonation Time (MPT) and Respiratory Function in Conservatory Students Across Different Academic Years

This study aims to investigate the effects of combined SOVT and breathing exercises, administered twice weekly for six weeks to conservatory students, through a randomized controlled trial. The study has two hypotheses: H1: Combined SOVT and breathing exercises increase the maximum phonation duration. H2: Combined SOVT and breathing exercises improve spirometric parameters (FEV₁, FVC, FEV₁/FVC, and PEF).

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This study aims to investigate the effects of combined SOVT and breathing exercises, applied twice a week for 6 weeks, on conservatory students at Gaziantep University through a randomized controlled trial. The study has two hypotheses: H1: Combined SOVT and breathing exercises increase maximum phonation duration. H2: Combined SOVT and breathing exercises improve spirometric parameters (FEV₁, FVC, FEV₁/FVC, and PEF). In the intervention group, phonation exercises using a pipette were taught and practiced as part of the SOVT exercise. Simultaneously, pursed-lip breathing, segmental breathing, and diaphragmatic breathing exercises were taught and practiced as breathing exercises. At the end of 6 weeks, the maximum phonation duration of all participants was measured with a stopwatch. Additionally, spirometric parameters were measured using a spirometer.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

91

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Being between 18 and 35 years of age

    • Being an undergraduate student studying vocal training at a state conservatory
    • Volunteering to actively participate in the research process and signing the written consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

  • • Having been diagnosed with any voice disorder (e.g., nodule, polyp, laryngitis, dysphonia, etc.)

    • Having received voice therapy, voice surgery, or respiratory physiotherapy in the past
    • Having an acute or chronic respiratory disease (e.g., asthma, COPD, bronchitis)
    • Participants who have had an upper respiratory tract infection in the last two weeks
    • Participants with a neurological, psychiatric, or cardiopulmonary system diagnosis
    • Participants who declare that they cannot regularly attend the exercise protocol

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: SOVT-Breathing Group
The exercises, which included combined sovt and breathing exercises, were performed twice a week for 6 weeks. The first measurement was taken in the first week, and the final measurement was taken after 6 weeks.
Other: combined soft and breathing exercises
The intervention group underwent combined sovt and breathing exercises. Sovt exercises consisted of phonation exercises using a pipette. Breathing exercises consisted of pursed-lip breathing, segmental breathing, and diaphragmatic breathing exercises.
No Intervention: Control Group
The first measurement was taken in the first week, and the final measurement was taken after 6 weeks and no intervention was applied.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Voice Handicap Index (VHI-10)
Time Frame: 6 weeks
The Voice Handicap Index (VHI) will be used to assess participants' self-perceived voice-related handicap. The questionnaire consists of items evaluating the functional, physical, and emotional impact of voice problems. Total scores range from 0 to 40, with higher scores indicating greater perceived voice handicap.
6 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Maximum Phonation Time (MPT)
Time Frame: 6 weeks
Maximum Phonation Time (MPT) will be assessed by asking participants to sustain the vowel /a/ after a maximal inhalation at a comfortable pitch and loudness. Three trials will be performed with adequate rest between trials, and the longest duration recorded in seconds will be used for analysis.
6 weeks

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
Time Frame: 6 weeks
Forced vital capacity (FVC, L) will be assessed using spirometry according to ATS/ERS recommendations. Participants will perform at least three acceptable forced expiratory maneuvers, and the highest value in liters will be recorded for analysis.
6 weeks
Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV₁)
Time Frame: 6 weeks
Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁, L) will be assessed using spirometry according to ATS/ERS recommendations. The highest value obtained from at least three acceptable maneuvers will be used for analysis.
6 weeks
FEV₁/FVC Ratio
Time Frame: 6 weeks
The FEV₁/FVC ratio (%) will be calculated from spirometric measurements obtained according to ATS/ERS recommendations. The highest acceptable values will be used for analysis.
6 weeks
Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF)
Time Frame: 6 weeks
Peak expiratory flow (PEF, L/min) will be assessed using spirometry according to ATS/ERS recommendations. The highest value obtained from at least three acceptable maneuvers will be recorded for analysis.
6 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Hasan Kalyoncu University

Investigators

  • Study Director: ELIF DOKUNLU DINLER, Asst. Prof., Hasan Kalyoncu University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

July 21, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

November 25, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

May 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 15, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 28, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

June 30, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 30, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 28, 2026

Last Verified

June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • HasanKU-FTR-RGA-01

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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