Medidas acústicas e tensão muscular em pessoas com alta e baixa ansiedade

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the behavior of vocal and electromyographic aspects of individuals with high and low anxiety. Methods An observational and cross-sectional study was carried out with 38 volunteers from the academic community, most of whom were female. They were divided into two groups: the low anxiety group (LBG) composed of 9 participants and the high anxiety group (HAG) composed of 29. Data collection involved three aspects: 1) psychological, evaluated by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI); 2) physiological electromyographic (EMG) measurements of the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles; and 3) vocal aspects, obtained through a speech sample of the sustained vowel /e/, for acoustic and EMG analysis. Statistical analysis was descriptive and inferential, using the t-test for comparison of means and Pearson's correlation. Results There was no significance in the comparison of means of acoustic and EMG measurements of GBA and HAG individuals. Suprahyoid EMG during emission showed a significant weak negative correlation with the level of trait anxiety. The same measurement during rest showed a significant weak negative correlation with the levels of trait and state anxiety. Conclusion: There are no differences in the comparison of acoustic and electromyographic vocal measures between individuals with high and low anxiety. There are significant correlations between electromyographic measures at rest and during emission and the levels of trait and state anxiety.