VOICES Lab
People and Places
The VOICES lab, co-directed by Laurie Slovarp, PhD, CCC-SLP and Jane Salois, PhD, CCC-SLP is at the forefront of research into voice and related upper airway disorders, with a special focus on chronic cough. Dr. Slovarp and Dr. Salois draw upon their extensive clinical experience as medical speech-language pathologists to shape patient-centered research. Their collective years of hands-on practice in diagnosing and treating swallowing, voice, and upper airway disorders provide them with a unique perspective on the needs and challenges faced by patients. This clinical insight serves as the foundation for their research, ensuring that the studies conducted in the VOICES Lab are not only scientifically rigorous but also directly relevant and beneficial to patients. This patient-centered approach is especially evident in their focus on refractory chronic cough (RCC), a cough that has not been effectively treated with medical intervention. Through their research, Dr. Slovarp and Dr. Salois are committed to improve RCC patient care by investigating and addressing barriers of care, streamlining behavioral treatment protocols, pioneering innovative assessment and treatment strategies, and unraveling the underlying physiological mechanisms involved in RCC and behavioral cough treatments.
In early 2019, Dr. Slovarp received Investigational New Drug authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to begin a clinical trial investigating a new treatment that combines elements of progressive desensitization paired with BCST. Two pilot studies have shown promising results, with significant improvements in cough-related quality of life and reduced urge-to-cough suggesting this treatment reduces cough sensitivity, which is known to the be underlying pathology causing RCC.
Drs. Slovarp and Salois are also exploring novel treatment delivery models with AI-based digital therapeutics (i.e., treatment via a smartphone application), internet-based treatment models, group treatment, and telehealth, in order to improve treatment accessibility.
Impact
Research within the VOICES Lab is focused on improving standards of care for patients with dysphagia and chronic cough.
The ultimate goals of the lab include:
- Improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness of care of patients with chronic cough.
- Develop and research new and innovative assessment and treatment strategies that target gaps and inadequacies in current management techniques and models for patients with chronic cough and related upper airway disorders.
- Understand the underlying mechanisms involved in cough hypersensitivity and behavioural cough treatment.
Read more about current research in the VOICES lab on the Medium website.
Collaboration
Drs. Slovarp and Salois are involved in several research collaborations including:
- University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus – Marie Jetté, PhD, CCC-SLP
- Emory University School of Medicine – Amanda Gillespie, PhD, CCC-SLP
- University of Melbourne Mazzone Laboratory – Stuart Mazzone, PhD
- Hunter Medical Research Institute – Anne Vertigan, PhD
- Hyfe.ai
Grant Funding
VOICES lab research has been supported through the Mountain West Clinical Translational Research Infrastructure Network (MW-CTRIN), the Montana IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE), and is currently supported by the Center for Population Health Research (CPHR) under grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Funding has also been provided through the University of Montana Small Grant Program and the American Speech Language Hearing Association.
Drs. Slovarp and Salois, along with collaborators Marie Jette, PhD at University of Colorado, Amanda Gillespie, PhD at Emory University, and Stuart Mazzone, PhD at University of Melbourne have secured funding for a multi-site clinical trial to investigate CDT supported by a National Institutes of Health R01 award.
Current Studies
To inquire about ongoing and active recruiting studies, contact Dr. Laurie Slovarp for more information.
Email: laurie.slovarp@mso.umt.edu
Phone: (406) 243-2107
Clinical Services
Specialized treatment of voice, upper airway and swallowing disorders is offered by our team at our partner clinic, Rocky Mountain Ear, Nose, and Throat. Services are provided both in-person in Missoula and via telehealth when available.
Contact :
Ph: (406) 541-3873
Fax: (406) 541-3834
Services Provided
- Videostroboscopic Evaluation
- Behavioral Voice Therapies
- Laryngectomy and Tracheostomy Management & Communication Training
- Tracheoesophageal Voice Prosthesis Management
- Assessment and Treatment of Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction (vocal cord dysfunction) and Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction
- Behavioral Therapy for Refractory Chronic Cough, Chronic Throat Clearing, and Irritable Larynx
- Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)
- Personalized Dysphagia Treatment
- Prophylactic Treatment for Head and Neck Cancer