DATASET Efficacy of Metaphor and Action Imitation Training Techniques in empowering Vocal Awareness

The present research aims to verify how different Mental Imagery training focused on the phonatory process may empower vocal awareness of the vocal tract and diaphragm in non-professional singers. Sixty participants with no singing education were assigned to one of three mental imagery training conditions: 1) a description of the specific physiological changes during the phonatory act (PD); 2) the imitation of an action involving the use of phonatory system (IA); 3) a metaphorical narration of the vocal act (M). The vocal awareness of the vocal tract (VTask) and of the diaphragm (DTask) was tested by collecting three indexes: Phonatory system representation (R), Phonatory system intero-proprioception (IP), Vocal self-regulation (SR), using a questionnaire that was administered before and after the training. A Mixed model ANOVA was performed. The results showed that the three types of training proved effective in empowering the vocal awareness, with a significant effect on the kind of training: IA and M were more effective on “Intero-proprioception” (IP), and M was more effective on “Vocal Self-regulation” (SR).