Exploring risk factors for vocal problems in voice performers

Professional voice performers face significant physical, psychological, and vocal demands. It is not surprising that the prevalence of voice problems in this group is high compared to the general population. Therefore, identifying potential risk factors for the development of vocal problems will be useful for performers, clinicians and other stakeholders to help prevent injury and maintain vocal health.

The British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) is a medical charity that provides performers with direct access to specialist clinicians for help with physical or mental health problems, including voice disorders. This year they carried out research which examined anonymised retrospective patient data from assessment clinics dealing with vocal problems between 2021-2023.

The aim of the study was to learn more about potential risk factors and triggering events for vocal problems in professional/vocational voice users. Anonymised data related to age, sex, genre, training, presenting symptoms, triggering factors and medical history was analysed to determine potential associations between the presence of voice problems and other factors.

This course will share the results of this interesting study and highlight the key factors which can trigger injury along with other health problems that have the potential to contribute to injury risk. The research also illustrated the often profound and far reaching psychological and occupational impact of a vocal problem on voice performers.

Assessing injury risk is complex, particularly with voice disorders, and studies using retrospective data are unable to prove causation. However, this course will combine the results of this study with existing published, peer reviewed evidence to try and develop an injury risk framework. This allows us to consider each voice performer within the context of relevant intrinsic and extrinsic factors to identify aspects that could elevate their injury risk, and support them to address these or provide other interventions.

This course will also include information on BAPAM's approach to supporting voice performers who have concerns, including recommended treatment pathways, the BAPAM Directory of clinical specialists, facilitating referrals, partnering with charities for physical health grants, and the NHS Voice Clinic network. It will also highlight the role of vocal physiotherapy in the management of voice disorders within a multi-disciplinary team.

🏷️ Price £30 (UK VAT inclusive)
🎥 Recording automatically sent to all who book (even if you cannot attend live)
▶️ Rewatch as many times as you like
📜 Certificate of attendance available