# Cognitive and Biological Mechanisms in Pediatric Voice Therapy

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE · 2021 · $616,060

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract.
The objective of this research is to investigate the influence of developmental factors that may influence the
outcome of a vetted, standard of care voice therapy for children with common, benign phonotraumatic lesions,
vocal fold nodules. Specific Aim 1 will investigate the influence of children's cognitive developmental abilities
on their learning response in voice therapy, in terms of their acquisition of a therapeutic phonation pattern,
“resonant voice,” in the vetted therapy program, Adventures in Voice (AIV). Specific Aim 2 will investigate the
influence of children's physical development stage on their biological response to Adventures in Voice, in
terms of reduction in nodule size, as a function of baseline estimates of vocal fold tissue elasticity, which is
known to vary with age. Specific Aim 3 is exploratory, and assesses a fuller, integrated causal model of vocal
and laryngeal improvements with voice therapy for nodules, as a function of cognitive and physical maturation.
Specific Aim 3 will also address at an exploratory level other factors that may contribute to therapy outcome
such as medical co-morbidities, reported child compliance with therapy, and reported parental involvement
with therapy. We will use a longitudinal observational study design in a single cohort across aims,
incorporating technologies that are novel for such studies but well vetted in bench science, including high-
speed video imaging and videostroboscopy with laser projection, this latter to obtain precise measures of
nodule size pre and post therapy. These technologies will be integrated with more traditional ones including
acoustic and perceptual evaluation of voice and larynx.
The long-term goal is to refine and advance intervention models for millions of children whose quality of life is
affected by these benign vocal fold lesions. Results will inform emerging behavioral strategies in voice therapy
for the millions of children who are affected by these conditions, and who currently suffer substantial health-
related consequences as a result.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10241449
- **Project number:** 5R01DC017923-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE
- **Principal Investigator:** Katherine Verdolini
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $616,060
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-01 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10241449

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10241449, Cognitive and Biological Mechanisms in Pediatric Voice Therapy (5R01DC017923-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10241449. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*