Effect of circadian cycle on voice: A cross-sectional study with young adults of different chronotypes

Abstract

Background: Circadian rhythm (CR) which is termed as the “physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a roughly 24 h cycle responding primarily to light and darkness in an organism's environment” has an important role in human health. A literature study indicates that there are no studies addressing the effect of CR on voice. The current study was conducted to understand the effect of CR on voice, pitch, jitter and shimmer in healthy young adults. Methodology: The study consisted of 216 participants (98 males and 118 females). The volunteers were asked to fill the Horne–Ostbery Morningness-Eveningness Scale questionnaire followed by an acoustic analysis using the voice analyzing software PRAAT using a dynamic unidirectional microphone at four time points of the day (morning [7.30–8.30 am], mid-day [12.30–1.30 pm], early evening [4.30–5.30 pm] and night [8.30–9.30 pm]). Results: The results of the current study indicate that the CR has got a very strong relationship with jitter, pitch and shimmer in the voice and how these parameters vary across evening type, intermediate type, and morning type through the day. Conclusions: The findings of the current study are very important for professional voice users as they can select their time slot for the performance based on their CR and be effective in their duties/job.