Speech therapy research to compare song styles for vocal tremor cure
Tuesday 5th October 2010
Researchers in the US are to compare two styles of song in the hope of finding a treatment for laryngeal tremors, a vocal disorder associated with many neurological conditions that can result in severe communication difficulties.
Speech therapy specialists at the University of Missouri are preparing to examine Hindustani singing, a traditional Indian style and classical song, such as the music of Puccini and Mozart.
People with Parkinson's disease and other similar disorders often display laryngeal tremors, with speech therapy job holders only able to help patients manage the condition.
Nandhu Radhakrishnan, professor of communication science and disorders in the university's School of Health Professions, hopes that investigation of different song styles could potentially lead to more effective treatment.
"In Hindustani singing, performers use 'Taan' to modulate pitch voluntarily, while classical singers use vibrato to vary pitch involuntarily. With this knowledge, we may be able to develop a specific therapy to cure laryngeal tremors," he explained.
Meanwhile, Penn State researchers recently told dieticians that foods rich in walnuts and their derivative oil may help prepare the body to deal better with anxiety and stress.
Written by Mathew Horton
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