Stress can cause vocal disturbances

Do you feel worried about speaking in front of the crowd and do you feel like there is a frog in your throat? New research indicates that stress can be the cause of such vocal problems.

In a new study by researchers from the University of Missouri in Colombia, they wanted to determine the link that exists between stress and voice disorders, especially dysphonia of muscle tension.

Glossophobia or phobia or fear of speaking in public can affect voice control, causing a stammering or "frog in the throat" feeling. In the study published in the journal of Brain imaging and behavior, the researchers found that vocal problems can be caused by a multitude of factors other than nervousness because they can be triggered by stress-induced brain activations.

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The trait theory of voice disorders

The coauthor of the study, Maria Dietrich, badociate professor in speech, language and hearing sciences, is a specialist in voice disorders. The trait theory of voice disorders, developed by Roy and Bless in 2000, has been suggested to describe the potential clinical relevance of the limbic system and its role in voice production.

Dietrich developed this theory and discovered that stress-induced brain activations could contribute to the development of voice disorders, including dysphonia of muscle tension.

Muscular tension dysphonia (TMA) is a change in the sensation or sound of the voice due to excessive muscle tension around the larynx or voice box. Usually, patients with BAT may have hoarseness and other symptoms related to voice production. The exact cause of BAT is still uncertain, but many risk factors have been identified, including acid reflux, allergies, disease, irritants and increased vocal demand. In some cases, stress or underlying anxiety is to blame.

"For many, talking in public can be a stressful situation. We know that stress can trigger physiological changes such as muscle tension and impact our language, "explained Dietrich.

"The new discoveries will help researchers better understand the relationship between stress and voice control and will help us identify the brain activations that impact the voices to identify better treatments for the disorders." she added.

Speech-induced cerebral activation related to speech

To arrive at the results of the study, the researchers recruited 13 healthy women who were shortlisted to participate in the study. They were asked to prepare an impromptu five-minute speech, but they were never asked to do so. The impromptu speech was to be a stressor for the participants.

Instead, they followed an event-specific sparse sampling fMRI protocol that included producing sentences that were expressed and whispered by asking them to read sentences, with or without exposure to a stressor.

In addition, the researchers took saliva samples to measure cortisol, a major stress hormone in the body. Saliva samples were taken before the stressor was administered and 50 minutes later. They also completed a personality questionnaire and badyzed the rating scales of a negative emotional state.

The researchers also performed MRI scans of patients throughout the experiment to determine and visualize cerebral activations and their impact on speech, in both stressed and non-stressed patients.

The researchers found differences in stress-induced brain activations badociated with speech. Participants who experienced increased levels of cortisol in their saliva showed brain activity that affected the area of ​​the brain that controlled the larynx or voice box. They also incurred lower scores on extraversion.

"Our data confirm that stress alters the speech control of speech production through limbic-motor interactions. The results corroborate the theory of Trait voice disorders (Roy and Bless, 2000) and help to decisively illuminate the study of voice disorders such as primary dysphonia of muscle tension, "the researchers concluded.

The researchers also said that the results of the study show that theories of vocal traits are related to personality.

"Those who are more introverted are more likely to have speech-related stress responses and their brains record this stress, which could affect their voice control," Dietrich said.

She then focused on many recommendations for those who are afraid to speak in public and how to handle the situation. Do not worry about the public if they do not smile, that does not mean they judge you.

She also encouraged speakers to take a deep breath to get rid of nervousness and stress. Finally, she says that feeling nervous is normal and that it should not take the best of you.