The Singer's and the Clinician's Perspective on Vitamin B12 Treatment for Vocal Benefits

Summary Introduction There is a belief among vocalists that there are voice benefits from vitamin B 12 treatment. Yet there are no previous reports regarding vitamin B 12 effects on voice. Objectives To assess the prevalence of vitamin B 12 use among singers and their beliefs regarding vitamin B 12 therapy. Methods Anonymous online survey administered to singers, singing-teachers, speech-language pathologists, and laryngologists. Results A total of 192 participants completed the surveys; 128 singers (68 singing-teachers, 30 speech-language pathologists) and 64 laryngologists. Among singers, 12% have perceived voice benefits from vitamin B 12 treatment taken for any reason. Four percent used vitamin B 12 for voice benefits; all perceived voice benefits as a result. The leading voice benefits were improved stamina, reduced effort, confidence, and control. Nineteen percent of the singers would recommend vitamin B 12 treatment to a friend; 15% of the singing-teachers would recommend it to a student. Among laryngologists, 33% been asked by a singer to prescribe vitamin B 12 for voice benefits; 9% have prescribed it in the past. Yet only 3% would you recommend it to a patient. When asked “Do you believe vitamin B 12 therapy improves vocal performance?” 31% of the singers responded “Yes,” compared with none in the laryngologists. When asked “Do you think the singing community believes vitamin B 12 therapy improves vocal performance?” 26% of the singers responded “Yes,” compared with 53% of the laryngologists ( P  = 0.0002). Conclusions There is a discrepancy between the singers' and the laryngologists' beliefs regarding vocal benefits perceived by vitamin B 12 . Blinded randomized trials are required to verify or refute this belief.