Biomedical subjects

Margaret A Maclagan

Publications and source records attributed to Margaret A Maclagan.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Vocal fatigue in young trained singers across a solo performance: a preliminary study.

This preliminary study aimed to measure changes in vocal function across a solo vocal performance task. Five participants, all trained singers, were required to complete a 10-min standard vocal warm-up, sing from a familiar repertoire for 40 min, and rest their voices for 10 min. Vocal function data were collected at 10-min intervals throughout the experimental session. Acoustic perturbation, sound pressure level and semitone pitch indices were employed as objective vocal function measures. A visual analogue scale and checklist of vocal fatigue symptoms were employed as self-report measures. Results revealed individual variation in vocal endurance, suggesting the importance of vocal history and repertoire factors in predisposing the onset of fatigue. Sound pressure level and pitch indices appeared more useful than perturbation indices in reflecting meaningful trends in vocal change.

Acoustics↗

PubMed2003

Vocal fatigue: current knowledge and future directions.

Vocal fatigue is a complex multifaceted clinical phenomenon. Several hypotheses exist concerning its underlying mechanism, and a range of empirical studies have examined its manifestation. This article reviews the literature pertaining to the nature, underlying processes, and salient features of vocal fatigue. First, vocal fatigue is defined, its major symptoms are discussed, and hypotheses concerning its primary physiological and biomechanical mechanisms are considered. Second, studies of experimentally induced vocal fatigue in humans are evaluated. Third, research investigating the clinical and occupational manifestations of vocal fatigue is discussed. Fourth, directions for ongoing research in this area are offered.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Speaking rates of American and New Zealand varieties of English.

Various acoustic measures of speaking rate were calculated for 40 adult speakers of New Zealand English (NZE). These measures were then compared to a group of 40 adult speakers of American English (AE). Results of the analysis identified significantly faster overall speaking rate and articulation rate for the NZE group compared to the AE group. No gender differences in speaking rate or articulation rate were found for either variety of English. The observed differences in rate between AE and NZE are interpreted with regard to diverse vowel production patterns between the varieties, as well as possible differences in rhythmic timing patterns. The impact of differences in speaking rate between varieties of English on the assessment and treatment of speech timing disorders is discussed.

Adolescent↗