Proof of Concept
King SN, Davis L, Lehman JJ, Ruddy BH. A Model for Treating Voice Disorders in School-Age Children within a Video Gaming Environment. J Voice. 2011 Dec 29. [Epub ahead of print]
Link to abstract:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22209055
Objective: The authors altered a voice-themed video game to make it voice activated, for use at home with school-age children with hyperfunctional voice disorders.
Video games can provide compelling ‘homework’ for children undergoing voice therapy, and may contribute to generalizing the learned behaviours to the home. The authors modified the video game Opera Slinger, an interactive game that requires players to score points by matching sound pitch and volume.
Process: The article is written about three cycles of trying and modifying the video game: firstly to adapt the game to voice activation, then to increase playability for children and adults. The third iteration was a case study of a 9 year old boy with the target condition. He received weekly one hour traditional speech therapy for two weeks before playing the video game at home for two weeks.
Findings: The voice-activated game was found to be functional, playable, and highly engaging. The players produced vocalizations that may be beneficial therapy outcomes, but video play and traditional therapy outcomes were not compared here. “Voice video games may contribute to the success of voice therapy by helping the generalization that needs to occur from the therapy session to home life”.