Effect of Vocal Loading in Female Bharatanatyam Dance Teachers After an Hour-Long Class.

Objectives: To compare certain acoustic, aerodynamic, and perceptual parameters before and after an hour-long class to analyze vocal loading characteristics in female Bharatanatyam dance teachers.

Study design: Prospective study.

Method: The study included 52 female Bharatanatyam dance teachers aged 19 to 40years. A brief case history was taken to recruit the participants and document the essential details. Multiparametric voice assessment was done before and after an hour-long dance class for the parameters Mean Intensity, Mean Pitch, Pitch Standard Deviation, Harmonics to Noise Ratio, Jitter percentage, Shimmer, Cepstral Peak Prominence, Acoustic Voice Quality Index, s/z ratio, Maximum Phonation Time (MPT), GRBAS, and Voice-Related Quality of Life assessment.

Results: Acoustic Voice Quality Index values above 2.22 in 65.38% of participants before class, indicative of dysphonia. The mean Voice-Related Quality of Life score was 1.98±1.67. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed significant differences in mean intensity (P=0.00) and jitter percentage (P=0.012). The paired t test revealed significant differences in mean pitch (P=0.00), Cepstral Peak Prominence (P=0.027), and MPT (P=0.00). No significant difference was found in the GRBAS grade evaluation (P=0.439) before and after the class.

Conclusion: In the present study, significant changes in several acoustic parameters, MPT, and Acoustic Voice Quality Index indicating dysphonia, highlight the impact of vocal loading on the voice of female Bharatanatyam dance teachers.