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NCT Number: NCT07007845

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

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Singing Breathing Exercise Osteopathy

Age range

18 year–50 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Complete Vocal Institute

Copenhagen, 1208, Denmark

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • General health, no known vocal pathology or ongoing respiratory infection
  • No ongoing reflux symptoms
  • Amateur singer

Exclusion criteria

  • No prior osteopathic treatment related to voice
  • No prior CVT Support Training

Treatment and study plan

CVT Support intervention

Behavioral

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.

Other names: CVT Support

Dooming Diaphragm

Procedure

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.

Other names: Osteopathic treatment of diaphragm

Primary outcomes

  1. Maximum Phonation Time

    Time frame: Baseline

    The total amount in seconds a sustained phonation can be maintained

  2. Mean sound pressure level

    Time frame: Baseline

    Sound pressure level, SPL, to indicate vocal loudness.

  3. Maximum and minimum fundamental frequency

    Time frame: Baseline

    The maximum and minimum fundamental frequency as an indicator of singing note pitch.

  4. Fx SD

    Time frame: Baseline

    Fundamental Frequency Standard Deviation (Fx SD)

  5. Qx

    Time frame: Baseline

    Average Contact Quotient (Qx)

  6. Jitter

    Time frame: Baseline

    Amount (in %) of Jitter during cycle to cycle variation of vocal fold oscillations on a sustained vowel measured by electroglottography

  7. Normalised Noise Energy

    Time frame: Baseline

    Normalised Noise Energy (NNE) of acoustic radiated output during phonation

  8. Cepstral Peak Prominence

    Time frame: Baseline

    Cepstral Peak Prominence (CPP) of sustained phonation

  9. Maximum Phonation Time

    Time frame: Day 1

    The total amount in seconds a sustained phonation can be maintained

  10. Mean sound pressure level

    Time frame: Day 1

    Sound pressure level, SPL, to indicate vocal loudness.

  11. Maximum and minimum fundamental frequency

    Time frame: Day 1

    The maximum and minimum fundamental frequency as an indicator of singing note pitch.

  12. Fx SD

    Time frame: Day 1

    Fundamental Frequency Standard Deviation (Fx SD)

  13. Qx

    Time frame: Day 1

    Average Contact Quotient (Qx)

  14. Jitter

    Time frame: Day 1

    Amount (in %) of Jitter during cycle to cycle variation of vocal fold oscillations on a sustained vowel measured by electroglottography

  15. Normalised Noise Energy

    Time frame: Day 1

    Normalised Noise Energy (NNE) of acoustic radiated output during phonation

  16. Cepstral Peak Prominence

    Time frame: Day 1

    Cepstral Peak Prominence (CPP) of sustained phonation

  17. Maximum Phonation Time - post intervention

    Time frame: Day 1

    The total amount in seconds a sustained phonation can be maintained

  18. Mean sound pressure level - post intervention

    Time frame: Day 1

    Sound pressure level, SPL, to indicate vocal loudness.

  19. Maximum and minimum fundamental frequency - post intervention

    Time frame: Day 1

    The maximum and minimum fundamental frequency as an indicator of singing note pitch.

  20. Fx SD - post intervention

    Time frame: Day 1

    Fundamental Frequency Standard Deviation (Fx SD)

  21. Qx - post intervention

    Time frame: Day 1

    Average Contact Quotient (Qx)

  22. Jitter - post intervention

    Time frame: Day 1

    Amount (in %) of Jitter during cycle to cycle variation of vocal fold oscillations on a sustained vowel measured by electroglottography

  23. Normalised Noise Energy - post intervention

    Time frame: Day 1

    Normalised Noise Energy (NNE) of acoustic radiated output during phonation

  24. Cepstral Peak Prominence - post intervention

    Time frame: Day 1

    Cepstral Peak Prominence (CPP) of sustained phonation

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Complete Vocal Institute

Industry

Collaborators

  • Buckinghamshire New University

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of Osteopathy and Complete Vocal Technique on Phonation in Amateur Singers: A Crossover Study.

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jun 6, 2025
Registry last updated
Jun 6, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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