Factors Affecting Voice Therapy Completion in Singers

OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this study was to determine (a) which factors may affect singers' completing voice therapy, and (b) develop predictive profiles to capture those singers at risk for dropping out of voice therapy. STUDY DESIGN:A case-control study was conducted comparing singers who completed voice therapy to singers who dropped out of voice therapy. METHODS:Six factors, including age, gender, diagnosis, length of time between laryngology referral and commencement of therapy, type of singer, and referral source were investigated in relation to voice therapy completion using the medical records of 409 singers in the Massachusetts General Hospital Voice Center database. RESULTS:Referral source and type of singer were demonstrated to be the most robust predictor of singers' completion of therapy. CONCLUSIONS:Forty-seven percent of singers who were referred to voice therapy completed their course of treatment. Sixty percent of singers who dropped out of voice therapy were reliably identified based on what types of music they sing (type of singer) and who referred them for laryngology evaluation (referral source), aiding in early identification of those singers who may need additional support to reach their therapy goals. Identifying specific characteristics of singers completing or dropping out of voice therapy may allow medical professionals to better serve the specialized needs of singers who use their voices professionally and recreationally.