The Effect of Voice Therapy on Vocal Nodule Patients / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate objectively the effect and utility of voice therapy which uses acoustic analysis and aerodynamic assessment, in addition to psychoacoustic analysis, as an initial treatment for patients with vocal nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen females and 14 males with vocal nodules were treated by voice therapy. The results of pre-treatment and post-treatment were compared with each other after the following analyses acoustic analysis by measuring relative average pertubation (RAP) and shimmer; aerodynamic assessments by measuring S to Z ratio and maximum phonation time, and psychoacoustic analysis by using the GRBAS scales. RESULTS: All measurements of post-treatment improved significantly. The post-treatment results of children showed better improvement in shimmer, relative average pertubation and MPT, compared to those of adult patients. No significant difference in improvement could be found between male and female patients. CONCLUSION: Voice therapy may serve as one primary treatment modality in vocal nodule patients.