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Research Paper | Public Health Education | India | Volume 13 Issue 2, February 2024

Changes in Phonatory Capacity post COVID-19 Infection

Gish Chacko | Sandhra Sakariyas | Dr. Udit Saxena | Dr. K R Meghanadh

Abstract: Purpose: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Persons infected with COVID-19 may have reduced phonation duration as the virus will affect respiratory capacity. The effect of COVID-19 on voice can be estimated by measuring its impact on phonatory capacity using Maximum Phonation Time (MPT). Methods: We have been seeing in our institute that patients who have recovered from COVID-19, but continue experiencing shortness of breaths and difficulty in phonation for normal longer duration and this could be because of the insufficient sub glottal air pressure. Hence, to assess the effect of COVID-19 on voice, we have used Maximum Phonation Time (MPT) as the measurement tool for phonatory capacity. During MPT measurements, subjects were asked to take deep breath and on exhalation, phonate vowel /a/ as long as possible. MPT was recorded once during Pre COVID-19 infection and twice to Post COVID-19 infections. These results were compared using non parametric test with Man Whitney. Results: Results of this study shows a significant reduction in the duration of Post Covid MPT 1 from Pre Covid MPT and further significant reduction in Post Covid MPT 2 from Post Covid MPT 1. Conclusion: The results showed a long-standing reduction in the post COVID-19 samples recorded even after one year of COVID-19 Infection is due to the direct effect of virus on the lung capacity and this effect may depends on the varying degrees of severity of the infection also.

Keywords: COVID-19, Respiratory illness, Sub glottal air pressure, Phonatory Capacity, Maximum Phonation Time, MPT

Edition: Volume 13 Issue 2, February 2024,

Pages: 1258 - 1260