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BIBTEX RIS

Voice Therapy for Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil

2022; Elsevier BV; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.jvoice.2022.10.007

1873-4588

Mariana Rebeka Gomes Queiroz, Leandro de Araújo Pernambuco, Rebeca Lins de Souza Leão, Ana Nery Barbosa de Araújo, Adriana de Oliveira Camargo Gomes, Hilton Justino da Silva, Jônia Alves Lucena,

Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation

ObjectiveTo characterize the clinical practice of Brazilian speech-language-hearing therapists regarding voice therapy for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsCross-sectional survey conducted remotely. Data were collected through a form shared online with approximately 1.500 speech-language-hearing therapists. The form included voice therapy practice with older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was responded by 155 voice experts.ResultsMost respondents were females with over 21 years’ experience in vocal health care, working with both in-person therapy and teletherapy. Obtaining acoustic parameters and using therapy strategies for breathing and body training were the most reported changes in remote therapy during the pandemic. The main difficulties involved wearing masks in in-person therapy and assessing the voice in teletherapy. Patient adherence and goals reached were deemed positive by most participants. Associations were found between place and format of service; between patient adherence and goals reached; and between difficulties in teletherapy and use of complementary therapeutic resources.ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic led Brazilian speech-language-hearing therapists to change their clinical practice with older adults in both remote and in-person therapy. The main changes involved wearing masks in in-person therapy and assessing the voice in teletherapy. Remote therapy proved to be a safe and effective possibility.