Measurement reliability of phonation threshold pressure in pediatric subjects

Objectives/Hypothesis Phonation threshold pressure (PTP), the minimum subglottal pressure (Ps) required for phonation, is sensitive to changes in laryngeal biomechanics and is often elevated with pathology. Little is reported on PTP in children; challenges with task performance and measurement reliability represent barriers to routine clinical assessment. Study Design Pilot study evaluating PTP and Ps measurement reliability in children using labial and mechanical interruption. Methods Twenty‐two subjects aged 4 to 17 years (10.7 ± 3.9 years) participated. Ten trials were performed for each method; task order was randomized. For labial interruption, subjects produced /pα/ five times at softest (onset PTP) and comfortable amplitude. For mechanical interruption, subjects produced a sustained /α/ while a balloon valve interrupted phonation five times for 250 ms each; mechanical interruption was performed with a mouthpiece and mask. PTP was recorded as the difference between Ps and supraglottal pressure at phonation cessation (offset PTP). Mean PTP and Ps and intrasubject coefficients of variation were compared. Correlations with age were evaluated. Results Mean PTP (P