Effect of Vitamin B12 Injection on the Vocal Performance of Professional Singers: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Trial

Hagit Shoffel-Havakuk; Christian X Lava; Yonatan Reuven; Dominic Moog; Karla Odell; Lindsay S Reder; Edie R Hapner; Michael M Johns, III

doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2020.4026

. 2020 Nov 12;147(1):1–7. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2020.4026

Effect of Vitamin B₁₂ Injection on the Vocal Performance of Professional Singers

A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Trial

Hagit Shoffel-Havakuk ^1,², Christian X Lava ³, Yonatan Reuven ^1,², Dominic Moog ³, Karla Odell ³, Lindsay S Reder ³, Edie R Hapner ⁴, Michael M Johns III ^3,^✉

PMCID: PMC7662483 PMID: 33180098

Key Points

Question

Do singers and voice professionals experience voice benefits from empirical vitamin B₁₂ injection for improvement of mild singing-related symptoms, such as reduced stamina, vocal fatigue, and effort?

Findings

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial, the 20 singers who participated in the study failed to demonstrate improvements in self-reported vocal performance measures after vitamin B₁₂ injection that were different from those observed after placebo injection.

Meaning

After empirical vitamin B₁₂ injection, the improvement in self-reported voice measures in singers is no different from that with a placebo injection.

Abstract

Importance

One-third of singers and vocal professionals report experiencing a benefit from empirical vitamin B₁₂ injections for improvement of mild singing-related symptoms (eg, reduced stamina, vocal fatigue, and effort). However, there is no objective evidence to support or refute these claims.

Objective

To assess the presence and magnitude of the effect of empirical vitamin B₁₂ injection on the vocal performance of singers.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial was conducted from November 7, 2017, to November 30, 2018, at an academic voice center among 20 active adult singers without dysphonia but with mild vocal symptoms. Individuals with known or suspected vitamin B₁₂ deficiency or active or recent vitamin B₁₂ treatment were excluded. Analysis was on a per-protocol basis.

Interventions

Participants were randomized to receive an intramuscular (deltoid) injection of either vitamin B₁₂ (1000 μg of cyanocobalmin) or placebo (0.9% sodium chloride). After a washout period of at least 4 weeks, participants were crossed over to receive the opposite injection. Both the investigators and participants were blinded to the order of injections.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The participants completed the Singing Voice Handicap Index–10 (SVHI-10), the Voice Fatigue Index (VFI), and the Evaluation of the Ability to Sing Easily (EASE) before each injection and at intervals of 1 hour, 3 hours, 24 hours, 72 hours, and 1 week after the injection. The primary time point assessment was 72 hours after injection, and the SVHI-10 score was the primary outcome measure.

Results

Twenty singers (10 men; median age, 22 years [range, 19-42 years]) were enrolled. The improvements after either placebo or vitamin B₁₂ injections were comparable to each other. At 72 hours after the vitamin B₁₂ injection, the median difference in the SVHI-10 score was 1 (95% CI, –1 to 2) compared with 3 (95% CI, 0-4) after placebo. The median difference between differences at 72 hours between placebo and vitamin B₁₂ injections were 1.5 (95% CI, –2 to 5) for the SVHI-10, 1 (95% CI, –9 to 9) for the VFI, and –1 (95% CI, –3 to 2) for the EASE. The improvements after both injections failed to reach the estimated minimal clinically important difference. Of the 20 participants, 4 (20%) reached the estimated minimal clinically important difference in their SVHI-10 score after 72 hours for both vitamin B₁₂ and placebo injections.

Conclusions and Relevance

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial found that after empirical vitamin B₁₂ injection to improve mild voice-related symptoms, the improvement in self-reported voice measures in singers shows no meaningful difference compared with placebo.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03437824

This randomized clinical trial assesses the presence and magnitude of the effect of empirical vitamin B₁₂ injection on the vocal performance of singers.

Introduction

Vitamin B₁₂, also referred to as cobalamin, is an important nutrient required to carry out essential functions, such as erythropoiesis and metabolic conversion of proteins and fat, and to support the normal function and development of nerve cells.¹ Vitamin B₁₂ deficiency is common, and about 6% of individuals 60 years of age or older are vitamin B₁₂ deficient.² Manifestations of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency are extensive and associated with fetal and childhood development and have ramifications for elderly individuals.^1,3 Commonly, vitamin B₁₂ deficiency is associated with megaloblastic anemia and neurologic conditions.^4,5 Other manifestations include mood disorders such as depression,^6,7,8 osteoporosis, gastrointestinal symptoms (eg, glossitis, decreased appetite, and constipation), and skin lesions (eg, hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, and hair changes).^9,10

The scientific literature connecting vitamin B₁₂ with laryngeal disorders or function is limited, to our knowledge. Vitamin B₁₂ deficiency was suggested to be associated with chronic cough and laryngeal hyperresponsiveness.¹¹ There have been reported cases of vocal fold paralysis as a neurologic manifestation of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency,^12,13 and there are some sparse reports that metabolic alterations in homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B₁₂ levels are associated with laryngeal carcinogenesis and leukoplakia.^14,15

Singers and voice professionals often seek complementary and alternative treatments to improve or enhance their vocal function. A recent survey study¹⁶ revealed a common belief among singers that there are some vocal benefits from empirical vitamin B₁₂ treatment (treatment given without the knowledge of a cause or an underlying condition). Of the surveyed singers, 31% stated that they believe vitamin B₁₂ therapy improves vocal performance, and 33% of the surveyed fellowship-trained laryngologists reported that they have been asked by a singer to prescribe vitamin B₁₂ for voice benefits. The survey results also revealed a discrepancy between the singers’ and the laryngologists’ perspectives. Although 31% of the surveyed singers believed that vitamin B₁₂ therapy improves vocal performance, none of the laryngologists did. This discrepancy between singers and physicians is most probably due to the lack of evidence on the effect of vitamin B₁₂ on vocal performance and the possibility that reported voice benefits may be attributed to the placebo effect alone. Reliable evidence is needed to either support or reject the use of empirical vitamin B₁₂ injections to improve vocal performance. The use of any medication, including vitamin B_12, may involve risks, adverse effects, and toxic effects that are unacceptable when the medication is not indicated.

In this study, we sought to assess the presence and magnitude of the effect of empirical vitamin B₁₂ injection on the self-reported vocal performance of singers by means of a prospective double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. The effects were estimated using patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures, with the Singing Voice Handicap Index–10 (SVHI-10)¹⁷ as the primary outcome measure. The study was designed to mimic the clinical scenario of a singer requesting an empirical vitamin B₁₂ injection to improve mild voice-related symptoms without a known vitamin B₁₂ deficiency and without the availability of laryngoscopy.

Methods

This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, conducted from November 7, 2017, to November 30, 2018, at the University of Southern California (trial protocol in Supplement 1). After approval by the University of Southern California (USC) institutional review board, individuals were recruited to participate through advertisements displayed at the USC Voice Center clinics (Keck Medical Center Otolaryngology Clinic, Keck Medicine Downtown Los Angeles Clinic, and USC–Glendale Otolaryngology Clinic), at the USC Thornton School of Music facilities, and on social media (Facebook: USC Voice Center, USC School of Music, Voice Forum, Singer Friends LA, and The Boston Conservatory Alumni). A copy of a recruitment ad can be found in eFigure 1 in Supplement 2. Participants provided written informed consent. This study followed the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) reporting guideline.

Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

To qualify for the study, individuals had to fulfill all of the following inclusion criteria: (1) active vocational singers, (2) aged 18 to 65 years, and (3) willing to comply with study requirements (eg, adherence to scheduled visits, receiving both injections, and completing the questionnaires on schedule). The exclusion criteria included (1) known vitamin B₁₂ deficiency, (2) active or recent vitamin B₁₂ treatment in the last 4 weeks, (3) bleeding disorders, (4) history of laryngeal pathologic conditions, (5) current dysphonia (because the study was designed to assess enhancement of vocal performance rather than treatment of dysphonia), and (6) plans to begin any new treatment, medication, or supplements. Although recruited participants did not have dysphonia, they had mild voice-related symptoms such as reduced stamina, vocal fatigue while performing, or increased singing effort. In addition, individuals who scored in the top tenth percentile of the SVHI-10, the Evaluation of the Ability to Sing Easily (EASE),¹⁸ and the Voice Fatigue Index (VFI)¹⁹ were excluded owing to the inability to demonstrate improvement according to the study’s outcome measures. Individuals who were found eligible were enrolled in the study between November 7, 2017, and November 30, 2018.

Study Protocol

Enrolled participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio, using a sealed envelope system, to determine the order of injections based on their designated treatment group (group 1 or group 2; Figure). The envelopes were opened by a research assistant, one at a time for each study participant enrolled. Only the research assistant and the nursing staff member, who prepared and administered the injections, were aware of the group of randomization. Both the clinician or caregiver and the participants were blinded to the randomization. Participants were required to visit the clinic on 2 separate occasions, at least 4 weeks apart, and receive 1 injection during each visit. On first visit arrival, the inclusion and exclusion criteria were rereviewed, participants’ demographic information was collected, and informed consent was signed in the presence of the principal investigator.

Prior to receiving each injection, participants completed the following PRO measures to gauge vocal state at baseline: the SVHI-10 questionnaire¹⁷ (the primary outcome measure), the VFI questionnaire,¹⁹ and the EASE questionnaire.¹⁸ Next, the participants received an intramuscular injection in the deltoid muscle. The injectable was determined by the participants’ treatment group (group 1 or group 2; Figure), consisting of either 1000 μg of cyanocobalamin (vitamin B₁₂) or 0.9% sodium chloride solution (as placebo). The injected material was concealed (for blinding) owing to the color difference between cyanocobalamin and sodium chloride solution.

After each injection, the participants were asked to repeat the PRO measures for 5 more times, at intervals of 1 hour, 3 hours, 24 hours, 72 hours, and 1 week after the injection. The preinjection and 1-hour postinjection PRO measures were completed in the office during the injection visit. For all other PRO measure completion time points, participants were reminded via text messages on their personal cellular telephone. The timeline for the PRO measures and for the interval between the 2 injections was based on the pharmacokinetics of vitamin B₁₂.²⁰ The serum level of vitamin B₁₂ peaks about 1 hour after an intramuscular injection. More than 50% is extracted within 48 hours, most of it in the first 8 hours. The time point of 72 hours after injection was chosen for the primary postinjection time point assessment. The first 3 postinjection time points, within the first 24 hours, were used to assess the immediate effect of the injection. The 1-week postinjection time point was added to evaluate the durability of the effect. At a dosage of 1000 μg, up to 15% of the vitamin B₁₂ is stored (primarily in the liver). For patients with vitamin B₁₂ deficiency treated with vitamin B₁₂ injections, a maintenance dose is given once a month to maintain serum levels. Thus, a 4-week minimum washout period between injections was selected.

The change in SVHI-10 score before the injection and 72 hours after the injection was chosen as the primary outcome measure. The voice-related PRO measures were selected because they were all designed to assess the vocal performance of singers and because each PRO measure represents different aspects of the singing voice. However, none of the singing-specific PRO measures has a known minimal clinically important difference (MCID). The SVHI-10 was chosen as the primary outcome measure because it is widely used and because it has a design and a scale similar to a well-established PRO measure, the Voice Handicap Index 10.^21,22 Although the Voice Handicap Index 10 does not assess the singing voice, its MCID was determined by previous studies to be between 4 and 6. Considering the Voice Handicap Index 10 as a reference, our study design predetermined an MCID of 5 for the SVHI-10.

Statistical Analysis

Analysis was performed on a per-protocol basis. Because this is the first study, to our knowledge, to investigate the effects of vitamin B₁₂ on vocal performance, the sample size was determined based on estimation alone, assuming the trial will result in a medium effect size (0.5) and for a 2-tailed α of 0.05 with a power of 0.9 (for detecting a MCID of 5 for the SVHI-10), while comparing 2 normally distributed paired groups (t test). The power calculation resulted in a sample size enrollment of at least 18 individuals for a crossover study. The power calculation was performed using G*Power, version 3.1.9.2 (Universität Kiel).

The collected data and the scores of each questionnaire were imported into a Microsoft Excel 2010, version 14 spreadsheet (Microsoft Corp). All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Statistics software, version 25.0 (IBM Corp). The normal distribution assumption was performed by exploring each parameter for mean, median, mode, skewness, and kurtosis. Because the scores of each of the PRO measures failed to demonstrate a normal distribution, they were described by median values and ranges, and nonparametric tests for repeated measures were applied to test the difference between repeated ranking measurements.

For each PRO measure under each study group, we have calculated the change in the PRO measure from baseline and after 72 hours and the difference in the difference between groups. Because the distribution of the calculated difference within and between each study group failed to demonstrate a normal distribution, the median value and 95% CI were used for description, and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (nonparametric test equivalent to dependent t test) was calculated. Ranking analysis uses pooled ranking of all observed differences between 2 dependent and repeated measurements. Effect size was extracted using the distributed z value to report the magnitude and direction of the differences for the various outcome measures. Confidence intervals were calculated for absolute values and for the differences of the measures.

Results

Of 42 candidates, 24 met the study inclusion and exclusion criteria. On their first visit, all 24 enrolled participants scored less than the top tenth percentile of the baseline questionnaires (SVHI-10, EASE, and VFI), and therefore all continued to the next steps of the study. Participants were evenly randomized into 2 groups. After randomization, 4 participants (1 man and 1 woman from each group) failed to complete the first visit follow-up questionnaires and failed to return for their second clinical visit, and therefore they were excluded from the study. Altogether, 20 participants—10 in each group—completed the entire study protocol (Figure). Of the 20 study participants, 10 (50%)—5 in each group—were male. The median age of the study population was 22 years (range, 19-42 years), with comparable distribution in each group. The primary singing genre was classical for 13 participants, musical theater for 4, and pop for 3. A further description of the study population is presented in Table 1. No adverse events or adverse effects related to the injections were reported by the study participants.

Table 1. Description of the General Characteristics and Demographic Charateristics of the Study Population.

Characteristic	Participants, No. (%)
Characteristic	Group 1 (n = 10)	Group 2 (n = 10)	Total (N = 20)
Age, median (IQR), y	21 (28.5-20)	21.5 (22-20)	22 (25-20)
Male to female ratio	5:5	5:5	10:10
Smokers	1 (10)	0	1 (5)
Primary singing genre
Classical	6 (60)	7 (70)	13 (65)
Musical theater	2 (20)	2 (20)	4 (20)
Pop	2 (20)	1 (10)	3 (15)
Singing experience, median (IQR), y	15 (20.5-7.5)	13 (18.5-8.75)	13 (20-8)
Formal singing training	10 (100)	9 (90)	19 (95)
Mean amount of singing, median (IQR), h/wk	10 (10.5-8)	13 (18.75-8.75)	10 (14-8)
Voice type
Soprano	2 (20)	3 (30)	5 (25)
Mezzo-soprano	3 (30)	2 (20)	5 (25)
Bass	3 (30)	0	3 (15)
Baritone	1 (10)	1 (10)	2 (10)
Tenor	1 (10)	3 (30)	4 (20)
Countertenor	0	1 (10)	1 (5)
Diet
Omnivore	8 (80)	6 (60)	14 (70)
Semivegetarian or flexitarian	1 (10)	2 (20)	3 (15)
Vegan	1 (10)	1 (10)	2 (10)
Pescatarian	0	1 (10)	1 (5)
Taking a multivitamin	4 (40)	2 (20)	6 (30)

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Abbreviation: IQR, interquartile range.

As demonstrated in Table 2 and eFigure 2 in Supplement 2, all PRO measures failed to show the superiority of vitamin B₁₂ vs placebo. The improvements after either placebo or vitamin B₁₂ injections were comparable to each other. At 72 hours after the vitamin B₁₂ injection, the median difference or improvement in the SVHI-10 score was 1 (95% CI, –1 to 2) compared with 3 (95% CI, 0-4) after placebo. The median difference between differences at 72 hours after vitamin B₁₂ injection compared with placebo were 1.5 (95% CI, –2 to 5) for the SVHI-10, 1 (95% CI, –9 to 9) for the VFI, and –1 (95% CI, –3 to 2), for the EASE. Moreover, these improvements after both injections failed to reach clinical significance. As demonstrated in Table 2, the 95% CI of the median score differences for the SVHI-10 after either vitamin B₁₂ or placebo did not reach the predetermined MCID (5 points). Of the 20 participants, 4 (20%) reached an improvement of at least 5 points in their SVHI-10 score after 72 hours for both the vitamin B₁₂ and placebo injections. The results of the 72-hour postinjection time point are detailed in Table 2, and the results of all other postinjection time points are given in eFigure 2 in Supplement 2.

Table 2. Comparison of Differences in the Median Scores and Ranks Before and After Placebo and Vitamin B₁₂ Injections.

Questionnaire	Placebo injection				Vitamin B₁₂ injection
	Median (range)		Difference B₁₂, median (95% CI)^a	Effect size	Median (range)		Difference placebo, median (95% CI)^a	Effect size	Difference between differences, median (95% CI)^b	Effect size
	Before	72 h After	Difference B₁₂, median (95% CI)^a	Effect size	Before	72 h After	Difference placebo, median (95% CI)^a	Effect size	Difference between differences, median (95% CI)^b	Effect size
SVHI-10	10.5 (0 to 29)	8.5 (0 to 16)	3 (0 to 4)	−0.52	10 (0 to 21)	8 (0 to 19)	1 (−1 to 2)	−0.21	1.5 (−2 to 5)	−0.31
VFI	24 (4 to 43)	22 (0 to 45)	1.5 (−1 to 6)	−0.34	25 (9 to 45)	21 (5 to 46)	0 (−1 to 7)	−0.21	1 (−9 to 9)	−0.10
EASE	14 (8 to 31)	12 (9 to 22)	1 (−1 to 5)	−0.51	19 (10 to 34)	14 (8 to 29)	2 (−1 to 5)	−0.41	−1 (−3 to 2)	−0.01

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Abbreviations: EASE, Evaluation of the Ability to Sing Easily; SVHI-10, Singing Voice Handicap Index–10; VFI, Voice Fatigue Index.

^{^a}

From before the injection to 72 h after the injection.

^{^b}

Vitamin B₁₂ difference − placebo difference.

Discussion

With limited data regarding the effect of vitamin B₁₂ treatment on vocal performance, clinicians cannot effectively counsel vocal performers requesting empirical vitamin B₁₂ injections to enhance vocal capabilities. As was recently published, this scenario is not uncommon because one-third of 64 surveyed laryngologists reported that they have been asked by a singer to prescribe vitamin B₁₂ for voice benefits.¹⁶ In our randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial, 20 singers without vitamin B₁₂ deficiency were injected with vitamin B₁₂ and placebo on 2 separate occasions. The participating singers demonstrated improvements in scores on different vocal function–related questionnaires after either vitamin B₁₂ or placebo injection. However, the improvements that followed vitamin B₁₂ injection failed to demonstrate superiority over the improvements that followed placebo injection.

Placebo and Placebo Effect

To verify the efficacy of treatment, a therapy should be proven to be significantly better than placebo.²³ Although vitamin B₁₂ demonstrated improvements compared with preinjection scores, these improvements were not different from those observed after placebo injection. The findings of our study suggest that there are no voice-related benefits after vitamin B₁₂ injection and that vitamin B₁₂–related effects are comparable to those seen with placebo. Placebo is defined as a sham medication or procedure designed to be void of any known therapeutic value.²⁴ Placebo effect is the positive response some may experience after receiving placebo. Placebo effects are believed to be related to intrinsic factors (eg, personal expectations) or extrinsic factors (eg, interaction with the clinician). It is agreed that placebo can affect disease symptoms that depend on patients’ perception. For example, a recent meta-analysis indicated that placebo may be associated with improved perceived insomnia symptoms, with no effect on objective measures, such as sleep-onset latency.²⁵ A Cochrane study investigating placebo interventions for 60 clinical conditions did not find any important clinical effects caused by placebo but stated that placebo may be associated with PRO measures related to pain and nausea.²⁶ The voice-related outcome measures in our study all rely on self-perception and are therefore subject to placebo effects. The outcome measures in our clinical trial trended in a comparable direction and magnitude after both placebo and vitamin B₁₂ injections, as all indicated minor improvements.

The placebo effect on professional singers’ performance is well demonstrated in our study (after both injections). Professional singers can be appreciated as vocal athletes, with extremely high vocal demands, pushing their vocal capabilities to their upper limit. It is therefore possible to relate this placebo effect to the placebo effect in sport athletes, who have been previously studied and are better understood. In a survey of 79 elite athletes, 47% reported that they have experienced performance placebo effects in the past, and 82% believe that placebo can positively affect their performances.²⁷ A meta-analysis reviewing 196 sport athletes concluded that placebo has a small to moderate effect on sports performance.²⁸ A clinical trial of 43 competitive endurance cyclists found that the effect of carbohydrate drinks was reduced when the athletes were told it was placebo, while the effect of placebo was improved when the athletes were told it was a carbohydrate drink.²⁹ Similarly, the velocity of Paralympic weightlifting was improved after athletes took a placebo capsule while informed that it contained caffeine.³⁰

Importance

Based on the findings of our clinical trial, it can be recommended that vitamin B₁₂ should not be given empirically to improve the vocal performance of singers and voice professionals. Moreover, it is possible to extend this recommendation and state that vitamin B₁₂ should not be given empirically to treat dysphonia.³¹ Our study did not directly assess the participants’ vitamin B₁₂ serum level; nevertheless, singers with known or suspected vitamin B₁₂ deficiency were excluded from the study. Consequently, the study did not investigate whether singers with vitamin B₁₂ deficiency can experience true vocal benefits from vitamin B₁₂ treatment. We advise that vitamin B₁₂ deficiency should be treated in singers as a medical condition that requires therapy. Whether these singers with vitamin B₁₂ deficiency experience vocal benefits from vitamin B₁₂ treatment and a correction of the deficiency should be investigated in further studies. Ideally, these further studies should measure vitamin B₁₂ serum levels and clearly distinguish between singers with vitamin B₁₂ deficiency and those with normal vitamin B₁₂ levels, which was not performed in the present study.

The importance of avoiding the use of ineffective treatment is mostly related to possible adverse events, such as adverse effects, drug interactions, overdose, and toxic effects. Vitamin B₁₂ is considered a relatively safe medication, even when a very high dosage is used. Nevertheless, anaphylactic shock has been reported,^20,32 and specific conditions warrant caution (eg, patients with Leber disease may develop severe optic atrophy). We therefore argue that, although vitamin B₁₂ is considered safe and none of our participants experienced any drug-related adverse events, the unnecessary use of vitamin B₁₂ should be avoided.

Limitations

This study has some limitations. Owing to the importance of the singers’ perspective, the study’s primary and secondary outcome measures are patient reported. However, a correlation with objective voice measures is still required and should be further investigated. Moreover, the study protocol required completing each questionnaire repeatedly within 1 week. These measures were not designed for repeated administrations within a few hours per day. A possible learning effect (associated with remembering the previous answers) or recall issues may have resulted in biased outcomes and should be taken into consideration. In particular, the questionnaires were completed after 3 injections within 24 hours.

The study was designed to look for the positive effects of empirical vitamin B₁₂ injection on vocal performance, not for negative effects. Hence, according to the study protocol, individuals who, prior to injections, scored in the top tenth percentile of the SVHI-10, VFI, and EASE were excluded. Nevertheless, eventually 95% of the participants scored between the top 17th and 30th percentiles, which can potentially allow for detection of both positive and negative effects. Properly designed randomized clinical trials are uncommon in the fields of laryngology and care for the professional voice. The findings of our study failed to demonstrate any clinically significant benefits caused by vitamin B₁₂ compared with placebo. Although this is a properly designed randomized clinical trial, it can be reasoned that the study was underpowered to detect possible minor changes. Nevertheless, we argue that a larger-scale trial would reveal only minor differences, which would have no clinical significance. Hence, this should not affect the legitimacy of our recommendation that vitamin B₁₂ should not be given empirically to improve the vocal performance of singers and voice professionals.

Conclusions

After empirical vitamin B₁₂ injection for mild voice-related symptoms, changes in self-evaluation of vocal performance are no greater than those seen with placebo and fail to reach clinical significance. It is therefore recommended that vitamin B₁₂ should not be given empirically to improve the vocal performance of singers and voice professionals.

Supplement 1.

Trial Protocol

Click here for additional data file.^{(719.3KB, pdf)}

Supplement 2.

eFigure 1. Example of a Recruitment Ad

eFigure 2. Patient-Reported Outcome Measures

Click here for additional data file.^{(487KB, pdf)}

Supplement 3.

Data Sharing Statement

Click here for additional data file.^{(22.3KB, pdf)}

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19.Nanjundeswaran C, Jacobson BH, Gartner-Schmidt J, Verdolini Abbott K. Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI): development and validation. J Voice. 2015;29(4):433-440. doi: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2014.09.012 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
20.US Food and Drug Administration Nascobal (cyanocobalamin, USP) nasal spray. Accessed May 16, 2020. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2014/021642s020lbl.pdf
21.Young VN, Jeong K, Rothenberger SD, et al. Minimal clinically important difference of Voice Handicap Index–10 in vocal fold paralysis. Laryngoscope. 2018;128(6):1419-1424. doi: 10.1002/lary.27001 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
22.Misono S, Yueh B, Stockness AN, House ME, Marmor S. Minimal important difference in Voice Handicap Index–10. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;143(11):1098-1103. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2017.1621 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
23.Howick J, Friedemann C, Tsakok M, et al. Are treatments more effective than placebos? a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2013;8(5):e62599. Published correction appears in PLoS One. 2016;11(1):e0147354. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062599 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
24.Hróbjartsson A, Gøtzsche PC. Is the placebo powerless? an analysis of clinical trials comparing placebo with no treatment. N Engl J Med. 2001;344(21):1594-1602. Published correction appears in N Engl J Med. 2001;345(4):304. doi: 10.1056/NEJM200105243442106 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
25.Yeung V, Sharpe L, Glozier N, Hackett ML, Colagiuri B. A systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo versus no treatment for insomnia symptoms. Sleep Med Rev. 2018;38:17-27. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2017.03.006 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
26.Hróbjartsson A, Gøtzsche PC. Placebo interventions for all clinical conditions. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2004;(3):CD003974. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003974.pub2 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
27.Bérdi M, Köteles F, Hevesi K, Bárdos G, Szabo A. Elite athletes’ attitudes towards the use of placebo-induced performance enhancement in sports. Eur J Sport Sci. 2015;15(4):315-321. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2014.955126 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
28.Bérdi M, Köteles F, Szabó A, Bárdos G. Placebo effects in sport and exercise: a meta-analysis. Eur J Ment Health. 2011;6(2):196-212. doi: 10.5708/EJMH.6.2011.2.5 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
29.Clark VR, Hopkins WG, Hawley JA, Burke LM. Placebo effect of carbohydrate feedings during a 40-km cycling time trial. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;32(9):1642-1647. doi: 10.1097/00005768-200009000-00019 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
30.Costa GCT, Galvão L, Bottaro M, Mota JF, Pimentel GD, Gentil P. Effects of placebo on bench throw performance of Paralympic weightlifting athletes: a pilot study. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2019;16(1):9. doi: 10.1186/s12970-019-0276-9 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
31.Stachler RJ, Francis DO, Schwartz SR, et al. Clinical practice guideline: hoarseness (dysphonia) (update). Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018;158(1_suppl):S1-S42. doi: 10.1177/0194599817751030 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
32.Picksak G, Luft C, Stichtenoth DO. Allergic reaction after intravenous application of vitamin B12. Article in German. Med Monatsschr Pharm. 2010;33(2):57-58. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Associated Data

This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.

Supplementary Materials

Supplement 1.

Trial Protocol

Click here for additional data file.^{(719.3KB, pdf)}

Supplement 2.

eFigure 1. Example of a Recruitment Ad

eFigure 2. Patient-Reported Outcome Measures

Click here for additional data file.^{(487KB, pdf)}

Supplement 3.

Data Sharing Statement

Click here for additional data file.^{(22.3KB, pdf)}

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[ooi200062r32] 32.Picksak G, Luft C, Stichtenoth DO. Allergic reaction after intravenous application of vitamin B12. Article in German. Med Monatsschr Pharm. 2010;33(2):57-58. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

PERMALINK

Effect of Vitamin B12 Injection on the Vocal Performance of Professional Singers

Hagit Shoffel-Havakuk, MD

Christian X Lava, BS

Yonatan Reuven, MD, PhD

Dominic Moog, BA

Karla Odell, MD

Lindsay S Reder, MD

Edie R Hapner, PhD

Michael M Johns III, MD

Key Points

Question

Findings

Meaning

Abstract

Importance

Objective

Design, Setting, and Participants

Interventions

Main Outcomes and Measures

Results

Conclusions and Relevance

Trial Registration

Introduction

Methods

Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

Study Protocol

Figure. Flow Diagram Describing the Progress of Patients Throughout the Clinical Trial.

Statistical Analysis

Results

Table 1. Description of the General Characteristics and Demographic Charateristics of the Study Population.

Table 2. Comparison of Differences in the Median Scores and Ranks Before and After Placebo and Vitamin B12 Injections.

Discussion

Placebo and Placebo Effect

Importance

Limitations

Conclusions

References

Associated Data

Supplementary Materials

ACTIONS

PERMALINK

RESOURCES

Similar articles

Cited by other articles

Links to NCBI Databases

Effect of Vitamin B₁₂ Injection on the Vocal Performance of Professional Singers

Table 2. Comparison of Differences in the Median Scores and Ranks Before and After Placebo and Vitamin B₁₂ Injections.