Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis of Voice: A Normative Study in the Indian Population

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to establish normative data for the Indian population using Nonlinear dynamic analysis. In this study, correlation dimension, a measure of nonlinear dynamic analysis was performed for normophonic young, middle aged and elderly voices. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, normophonic young, middle aged and elderly individuals were selected without a history of voice/respiratory problems and vocal abuse/ misuse. 60 participants were selected in each group. All of these individuals had a normal voice as evaluated through GRBAS scale. Sound Recorder, on a computer desktop was used for voice recording and “convert” code in MATLAB as well as D2.ini.writer software based on TISEAN package (Hegger, Kantz & Schreiber, 1999) was used for the calculation of Correlation dimension (D2). Correlation dimension measures were obtained for each participant, for both steady vowel phonations (/a/, /i/, /u/) as well as narration samples. Results: The correlation dimension measures across the group revealed a significant main effect of the groups indicating correlation dimension increases with increase in age. Conclusions: The application of nonlinear dynamic measures in the assessment of voice is a novel venture and thus this study provides normative data for correlation dimensions in the Indian population for future comparisons against the disordered voice samples. Further studies are warranted to investigate the same in the clinical population. Also other nonlinear dynamic analysis methods need to be investigated to obtain the normative data in the Indian population.