Vocal Cord DysfunctionNCT05695131
Clinical Feasibility & Validation of the Virtual Reality GlenxRose Speech-Language Therapies
A study testing GlenXRose Virtual Reality Speech Therapies in people with Vocal Cord Dysfunction and Speech Disorders, run by University of Alberta at 1 site in Canada.
Trial summary
Factors related to successful rehabilitation are often directly related to adherence; for instance, dosage, frequency, and intensity can burden the patient regarding time and motivational factors. Furthermore, surrounding salience, patients may lose interest or find an intervention boring after a few sessions. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Vocal Cord Dysfunction, Speech Disorders
- What is being tested?
- GlenXRose Virtual Reality Speech Therapies
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCanada
- Study dates
- 20 Sep 2023to 30 Jun 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Adults receiving speech-language therapy at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital (Edmonton, AB, Canada; Alberta Health Services)
- Presence of a speech disorder
- Proficiency in English
- Able to provide signed informed consent to participate in the study
Who cannot join
- Severe cognitive impairments and/or behavioural impairments
- Communication disorders that impact comprehension of verbal commands and understanding of scale used in the study
- Previous history of neurological or psychiatric disorder
- Substance use disorders
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Canada1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital
Edmonton, Alberta, T5G 0B7
James Raso, MASc, 7807357964, james.raso@albertahealthservices.ca
Mathieu Figeys, PhD, RN, 780.735.6296, figeys@ualberta.ca
About this study
Official title: Clinical Implementation, Feasibility, & Validation of the Virtual Reality Delivered GlenxRose Speech-Language Therapies to Improve Patient Adherence and Treatment Outcomes
Factors related to successful rehabilitation are often directly related to adherence; for instance, dosage, frequency, and intensity can burden the patient regarding time and motivational factors. Furthermore, surrounding salience, patients may lose interest or find an intervention boring after a few sessions. It is well documented that nonadherence not only impacts rehabilitation for the patient but can also further prolong treatment, and increase hospital and clinician costs, in addition to a higher prevalence of future comorbidities. Therefore, strategies that improve patient adherence can significantly help optimize patient care and treatment outcomes.
One avenue to increase patient adherence is through the gamification of rehabilitation therapies using virtual reality (VR). Gamification of rehabilitation therapy can make mass practice required in rehabilitation therapies seemingly fun and more personally engaging for the patient. Additionally, the immersive experience achieved through VR can further promote salience and be customizable to individual patient requirements. As VR systems are now highly portable and relatively simple to utilize, they can provide an excellent opportunity to continue rehabilitation practice on the home front. Overall, the VR gamification of rehabilitation may increase adherence by shifting patients' perspectives of therapy as tedious, boring, or a hassle, to a fun and engaging game that ultimately helps their recovery processes.
The GlenXRose VR-delivered speech-language therapies (Cognitive Projections Lab, University of Alberta) have been developed and piloted in collaboration with the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital with the overall goal of increasing patient adherence, treatment outcomes, and satisfaction with vocal therapy. The proposed studies are to investigate the feasibility of implementing this technology in routine clinical care (specific to voice disorders), obtaining clinician feedback, examining associated financial costs, and continuing to examine the effect of the GlenXRose VR speech-language therapies on patient adherence and clinical outcomes, compared to traditional clinical care.
Read the detailed description
Nonadherence to Speech-Language rehabilitation can result in suboptimal vocal recovery or compensation methods while impacting the quality of life and further burdening the healthcare system. In addition to traditional face-to-face voice therapy, many patients are further given daily voice exercises to practice at home. It is estimated that 38-74% of patients are nonadherent to voice therapies (Ebersole et al., 2018); with such a large prevalence, opportunities to prevent and mitigate nonadherence to voice therapy can significantly promote clinical/functional outcomes. In a recent meta-analysis, it is reported that methods increasing adherence to speech-language rehabilitation further promote home practice (Bartlett et al., 2022). One identified method of promise includes technological approaches (Bartlett et al., 2022) such as the GlenXRose VR Speech-Language therapies (VR-SLP).
Purpose \& Objective: The GlenXRose VR-SLP program, developed by the Cognitive Projections lab at the University of Alberta in collaboration with the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, provides patients with gamified vocal exercises, therapies, and education delivered through immersive virtual reality. With the degree of VR portability, patients will be able to take the equipment home to facilitate at-home vocal practice.
The objective of these studies is to examine the feasibility of implementing the previously developed GlenXRose VR Speech Language therapies (VR-SLP) to routine clinical care delivered by Speech-Language Pathologists to patients with vocal cord disorders. The variables of patient adherence to treatment as well as preliminary effects on vocal measurements (Voice Handicapped Index - 10; Acoustic Analysis of Voice) will be explored.
- Conditions
- Vocal Cord Dysfunction, Speech Disorders
- Being tested
- GlenXRose Virtual Reality Speech Therapies
- Keywords
- Vocal, Speech, Speech-Language Pathology, Virtual Reality, VR
- Medical subject headings
- Vocal Cord Dysfunction, Speech Disorders, Speech
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
GlenXRose Virtual Reality Speech TherapiesDevice
Speech therapies for vocal cord disorders have been developed for virtual reality implementation. These include various games to interact with in a virtual environment while conducting rehabilitation therapy, in addition to educational visualizations
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Reality Delivered Therapy + Standard Clinical Care | Experimental | The GlenXRose virtual reality therapies will be delivered to participants using a head-mounted device to allow vocal therapy and practice. Participants will also receive routine clinical care provided by speech-language pathologists. Receives: Device: GlenXRose Virtual Reality Speech Therapies |
| Standard Clinical Care | No intervention | Participants will receive routine clinical care provided by speech-language pathologists. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Frequency and Treatment Adherence Rates
Reported Frequency of Rehabilitation Therapy
Measured: Up to 12 Weeks
Change in Generalization
Self-reported time using voice production techniques
Measured: Up to 12 Weeks
Change in Compliance Rate
Self-reported time (using a visual analog scale)
Measured: Up to 12 Weeks
Change in Voice Handicap Index - 10
Quantification of participant reported perspectives of voice impairment(s)
Measured: Up to 12 Weeks
Change in Acoustic Analysis of Voice
Conducted by Registered Speech-Language Pathologists (as part of standard care)
Measured: Up to 12 Weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted23 Jan 2023
- Study start20 Sep 2023
- Primary completion30 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Jun 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (4)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Vocal Cord DysfunctionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of AlbertaThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Sequential
- Model description
- Study 1: Single-Subject Experimental Design Studies will be Implemented (A-B Design) Study 2: Feasibility randomized controlled trial (control and intervention groups)
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Alberta
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Alberta Health services
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Adriana Rios Rincon, PhD, R.OT, Principal investigator, University of AlbertaAntonio Miguel Cruz, DrSc, Study chair, University of AlbertaJames Raso, MASc, Study chair, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Alberta Health Services
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05695131
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Pro00126403
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 4 Jan 2023
- Last updated
- 12 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Rosen CA, Lee AS, Osborne J, Zullo T, Murry T. Development and validation of the voice handicap index-10. Laryngoscope. 2004 Sep;114(9):1549-56. doi: 10.1097/00005537-200409000-00009.
PubMed 15475780Bartlett RS, Carpenter AM, Chapman LK. A Systematic Review of Adherence Strategies for Adult Populations in Speech-Language Pathology Treatment. Am J Speech Lang Pathol. 2022 May 10;31(3):1501-1516. doi: 10.1044/2022_AJSLP-21-00255. Epub 2022 Mar 23.
PubMed 35320678Ebersole B, Soni RS, Moran K, Lango M, Devarajan K, Jamal N. The Role of Occupational Voice Demand and Patient-Rated Impairment in Predicting Voice Therapy Adherence. J Voice. 2018 May;32(3):325-331. doi: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2017.06.002. Epub 2017 Jul 11.
PubMed 28709763Eldridge SM, Chan CL, Campbell MJ, Bond CM, Hopewell S, Thabane L, Lancaster GA; PAFS consensus group. CONSORT 2010 statement: extension to randomised pilot and feasibility trials. Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2016 Oct 21;2:64. doi: 10.1186/s40814-016-0105-8. eCollection 2016.
PubMed 27965879
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 12 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Clinical Implementation, Feasibility, & Validation of the Virtual Reality Delivered GlenxRose Speech-Language Therapies to Improve Patient Adherence and Treatment Outcomes
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05695131
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Pro00126403
- Conditions
- Vocal Cord Dysfunction, Speech Disorders
- Keywords
- Vocal, Speech, Speech-Language Pathology, Virtual Reality, VR
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of AlbertaUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Alberta Health services
- Study start
- 20 Sep 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 23 Jan 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Factors related to successful rehabilitation are often directly related to adherence; for instance, dosage, frequency, and intensity can burden the patient regarding time and motivational factors. Furthermore, surrounding salience, patients may lose interest or find an intervention boring after a few sessions. It is well documented that nonadherence not only impacts rehabilitation for the patient but can also further prolong treatment, and increase hospital and clinician costs, in addition to a higher prevalence of future comorbidities. Therefore, strategies that improve patient adherence can significantly help optimize patient care and treatment outcomes.
One avenue to increase patient adherence is through the gamification of rehabilitation therapies using virtual reality (VR). Gamification of rehabilitation therapy can make mass practice required in rehabilitation therapies seemingly fun and more personally engaging for the patient. Additionally, the immersive experience achieved through VR can further promote salience and be customizable to individual patient requirements. As VR systems are now highly portable and relatively simple to utilize, they can provide an excellent opportunity to continue rehabilitation practice on the home front. Overall, the VR gamification of rehabilitation may increase adherence by shifting patients' perspectives of therapy as tedious, boring, or a hassle, to a fun and engaging game that ultimately helps their recovery processes.
The GlenXRose VR-delivered speech-language therapies (Cognitive Projections Lab, University of Alberta) have been developed and piloted in collaboration with the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital with the overall goal of increasing patient adherence, treatment outcomes, and satisfaction with vocal therapy. The proposed studies are to investigate the feasibility of implementing this technology in routine clinical care (specific to voice disorders), obtaining clinician feedback, examining associated financial costs, and continuing to examine the effect of the GlenXRose VR speech-language therapies on patient adherence and clinical outcomes, compared to traditional clinical care.
Detailed description
Nonadherence to Speech-Language rehabilitation can result in suboptimal vocal recovery or compensation methods while impacting the quality of life and further burdening the healthcare system. In addition to traditional face-to-face voice therapy, many patients are further given daily voice exercises to practice at home. It is estimated that 38-74% of patients are nonadherent to voice therapies (Ebersole et al., 2018); with such a large prevalence, opportunities to prevent and mitigate nonadherence to voice therapy can significantly promote clinical/functional outcomes. In a recent meta-analysis, it is reported that methods increasing adherence to speech-language rehabilitation further promote home practice (Bartlett et al., 2022). One identified method of promise includes technological approaches (Bartlett et al., 2022) such as the GlenXRose VR Speech-Language therapies (VR-SLP).
Purpose \& Objective: The GlenXRose VR-SLP program, developed by the Cognitive Projections lab at the University of Alberta in collaboration with the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, provides patients with gamified vocal exercises, therapies, and education delivered through immersive virtual reality. With the degree of VR portability, patients will be able to take the equipment home to facilitate at-home vocal practice.
The objective of these studies is to examine the feasibility of implementing the previously developed GlenXRose VR Speech Language therapies (VR-SLP) to routine clinical care delivered by Speech-Language Pathologists to patients with vocal cord disorders. The variables of patient adherence to treatment as well as preliminary effects on vocal measurements (Voice Handicapped Index - 10; Acoustic Analysis of Voice) will be explored.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Sequential
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Study 1: Single-Subject Experimental Design Studies will be Implemented (A-B Design) Study 2: Feasibility randomized controlled trial (control and intervention groups)
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Reality Delivered Therapy + Standard Clinical Care | Experimental | Device: GlenXRose Virtual Reality Speech TherapiesThe GlenXRose virtual reality therapies will be delivered to participants using a head-mounted device to allow vocal therapy and practice. Participants will also receive routine clinical care provided by speech-language pathologists. |
| Standard Clinical Care | No intervention | –Participants will receive routine clinical care provided by speech-language pathologists. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Adults receiving speech-language therapy at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital (Edmonton, AB, Canada; Alberta Health Services)
- Presence of a speech disorder
- Proficiency in English
- Able to provide signed informed consent to participate in the study
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Severe cognitive impairments and/or behavioural impairments
- Communication disorders that impact comprehension of verbal commands and understanding of scale used in the study
- Previous history of neurological or psychiatric disorder
- Substance use disorders
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| GlenXRose Virtual Reality Speech TherapiesSpeech therapies for vocal cord disorders have been developed for virtual reality implementation. These include various games to interact with in a virtual environment while conducting rehabilitation therapy, in addition to educational visualizations | Device | Virtual Reality Delivered Therapy + Standard Clinical Care |
Primary outcome
Change in Frequency and Treatment Adherence Rates
Time frame: Up to 12 Weeks
Reported Frequency of Rehabilitation Therapy
Change in Generalization
Time frame: Up to 12 Weeks
Self-reported time using voice production techniques
Change in Compliance Rate
Time frame: Up to 12 Weeks
Self-reported time (using a visual analog scale)
Change in Voice Handicap Index - 10
Time frame: Up to 12 Weeks
Quantification of participant reported perspectives of voice impairment(s)
Change in Acoustic Analysis of Voice
Time frame: Up to 12 Weeks
Conducted by Registered Speech-Language Pathologists (as part of standard care)
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 12 May 2026.
- Background: PubMed 15475780Rosen CA, Lee AS, Osborne J, Zullo T, Murry T. Development and validation of the voice handicap index-10. Laryngoscope. 2004 Sep;114(9):1549-56. doi: 10.1097/00005537-200409000-00009.
- Background: PubMed 35320678Bartlett RS, Carpenter AM, Chapman LK. A Systematic Review of Adherence Strategies for Adult Populations in Speech-Language Pathology Treatment. Am J Speech Lang Pathol. 2022 May 10;31(3):1501-1516. doi: 10.1044/2022_AJSLP-21-00255. Epub 2022 Mar 23.
- Background: PubMed 28709763Ebersole B, Soni RS, Moran K, Lango M, Devarajan K, Jamal N. The Role of Occupational Voice Demand and Patient-Rated Impairment in Predicting Voice Therapy Adherence. J Voice. 2018 May;32(3):325-331. doi: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2017.06.002. Epub 2017 Jul 11.
- Background: PubMed 27965879Eldridge SM, Chan CL, Campbell MJ, Bond CM, Hopewell S, Thabane L, Lancaster GA; PAFS consensus group. CONSORT 2010 statement: extension to randomised pilot and feasibility trials. Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2016 Oct 21;2:64. doi: 10.1186/s40814-016-0105-8. eCollection 2016.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Adriana Rios Rincon, PhD, R.OT principal investigator
University of Alberta
Antonio Miguel Cruz, DrSc study chair
University of Alberta
James Raso, MASc study chair
Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Alberta Health Services
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing GlenXRose Virtual Reality Speech Therapies in people with Vocal Cord Dysfunction and Speech Disorders, run by University of Alberta at 1 site in Canada.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 12 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Adriana Rios Rincon, PhD, R.OT (780.492.5150, aros@ualberta.ca), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Frequency and Treatment Adherence Rates (time frame: Up to 12 Weeks). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05695131, which also lists 4 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 12 May 2026.