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1.
J Music Ther ; 61(2): 132-167, 2024 May 16.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38438312

Individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) experience speech and voice-related symptoms that diminish communication and quality of life. Semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT) exercises are targeted interventions that, when combined with the positive psychosocial benefits of therapeutic group singing (TGS), may affect outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of SOVT exercises, specifically straw phonation combined with TGS, to improve voice quality and mood for individuals with PD. We used a true experimental pretest-posttest between-subjects design (i.e., randomized controlled trial) facilitated by a board-certified music therapist. All participants (N = 27) were randomly assigned to one of three groups (a) straw phonation combined with TGS (SP + TGS, n = 10), (b) TGS (n = 10), and (c) speaking-only control group (n = 7). Participants completed voice recordings for acoustic measures and the Visual Analogue Mood Scale for mood analysis before and after a 30-min intervention. The results demonstrated significant improvement in voice quality evidenced by decreasing Acoustic Voice Quality Index scores following a single session for both SP + TGS and TGS intervention groups when compared to the control. Happiness scores improved in the experimental groups when compared to control. Although not statistically significant, participants in the experimental groups (SP + TGS, TGS) demonstrated better mean mood scores on happiness, anxiety, and angry when compared to control, indicating a positive psychological response to the singing interventions. Overall, this study indicated the effectiveness of SP + TGS and TGS as promising therapeutic interventions for voice quality and mood in individuals with PD.


Music Therapy , Parkinson Disease , Singing , Voice Quality , Humans , Parkinson Disease/psychology , Parkinson Disease/therapy , Parkinson Disease/complications , Parkinson Disease/rehabilitation , Male , Female , Aged , Middle Aged , Music Therapy/methods , Voice Training , Quality of Life , Treatment Outcome , Affect , Phonation , Voice Disorders/etiology , Voice Disorders/psychology , Voice Disorders/therapy , Voice Disorders/rehabilitation
2.
Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg ; 32(3): 156-165, 2024 Jun 01.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38547363

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to update the reader with recent advances and current opinion on the assessment and management of paediatric voice disorders. RECENT FINDINGS: Access to advanced multidisciplinary paediatric voice clinics has increased over the last decade. Often the assessment is combined between speech therapy/pathology and ENT surgery. Vocal fold nodules remain the most prevalent diagnosis at a paediatric voice clinic, but significant diseases will also present, for example laryngeal papilloma. Recently, more consideration of the psychosocial aspect of voice disorders and evaluation of auditory processing disorders have shown how these can have a negative impact. There also appears to be a lack of parental and teacher awareness of paediatric voice disorders and their significance. SUMMARY: We would recommend multiparametric assessment and analysis of all children with a voice disorder. Most paediatric voice conditions will respond to skilled voice therapy. However, the exact techniques and dosage requires further evaluation and research. Paediatric voice conditions are common and should not be dismissed, as they may represent significant disease, for example papilloma, vagal palsy or have a significant psychosocial impact on the child.


Referral and Consultation , Voice Disorders , Humans , Child , Voice Disorders/diagnosis , Voice Disorders/therapy , Voice Disorders/etiology , Voice Disorders/psychology
3.
4.
Laryngoscope ; 134(3): 1333-1339, 2024 Mar.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38087983

INTRODUCTION: Accuracy and validity of voice AI algorithms rely on substantial quality voice data. Although commensurable amounts of voice data are captured daily in voice centers across North America, there is no standardized protocol for acoustic data management, which limits the usability of these datasets for voice artificial intelligence (AI) research. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to capture current practices of voice data collection, storage, analysis, and perceived limitations to collaborative voice research. METHODS: A 30-question online survey was developed with expert guidance from the voicecollab.ai members, an international collaborative of voice AI researchers. The survey was disseminated via REDCap to an estimated 200 practitioners at North American voice centers. Survey questions assessed respondents' current practices in terms of acoustic data collection, storage, and retrieval as well as limitations to collaborative voice research. RESULTS: Seventy-two respondents completed the survey of which 81.7% were laryngologists and 18.3% were speech language pathologists (SLPs). Eighteen percent of respondents reported seeing 40%-60% and 55% reported seeing >60 patients with voice disorders weekly (conservative estimate of over 4000 patients/week). Only 28% of respondents reported utilizing standardized protocols for collection and storage of acoustic data. Although, 87% of respondents conduct voice research, only 38% of respondents report doing so on a multi-institutional level. Perceived limitations to conducting collaborative voice research include lack of standardized methodology for collection (30%) and lack of human resources to prepare and label voice data adequately (55%). CONCLUSION: To conduct large-scale multi-institutional voice research with AI, there is a pertinent need for standardization of acoustic data management, as well as an infrastructure for secure and efficient data sharing. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5 Laryngoscope, 134:1333-1339, 2024.


Artificial Intelligence , Voice Disorders , Voice , Humans , Data Accuracy , Surveys and Questionnaires , Voice Disorders/diagnosis , Voice Disorders/therapy
5.
Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol ; 281(1): 295-299, 2024 Jan.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37938373

PURPOSE: This study prospectively assessed the efficacy and safety of 532-nm diode laser glottoplasty in patients with sulcus vocalis. METHODS: A prospective human trial was performed from August 2016 to September 2021. 532-nm diode laser glottoplasty was performed in 30 consecutive patients with sulcus vocalis who suffered from voice problems. Patients underwent acoustic aerodynamic, perceptual, stroboscopic, and Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) evaluations before and 1, 6, and 12 months after laser glottoplasty. RESULTS: Most subjective parameters showed significant improvement (P < 0.05) at 6 months after laser glottoplasty and remained stable at 12 months. Most objective parameters showed significant improvement (P < 0.05) at 12 months after laser glottoplasty. Complications during follow-up included mild vocal fold vibration reduction in 3.3% of patients (1/30) and persistent vocal fold edema in 3.3% of patients (1/30). CONCLUSIONS: Statistically significant voice improvement at 12 months after 532-nm diode laser glottoplasty was achieved without serious complications.


Lasers, Semiconductor , Voice Disorders , Humans , Lasers, Semiconductor/therapeutic use , Prospective Studies , Treatment Outcome , Vocal Cords/surgery , Voice Disorders/therapy
6.
Laryngoscope ; 134(6): 2805-2811, 2024 Jun.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38112338

OBJECTIVES: The acoustic voice quality index (AVQI) is a reliable tool that objectively assesses dysphonia levels using six acoustic parameters. Despite its high criterion-related concurrent validity, diagnostic accuracy, and minimal detectable change derived from test-retest reliability, the minimal important difference (MID) of the AVQI has not been tested before. This study aimed to estimate the MIDs of AVQI for improvement audibly perceived by clinicians and self-reported improvement by patients. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 110 patients who received treatment for voice disorders. Patients completed AVQI and Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) questionnaires before and after the therapy. The MIDs of the AVQI were estimated using the anchor of either auditory-perceptual judgment of total dysphonia levels by clinicians or the VHI-10 questionnaire by patients. A distribution-based approach was also used to complement the results. RESULTS: First, using the auditory-perceptual anchor, a decrease of 0.95 in the AVQI was estimated as the MID for clinicians' perception, as a result of the receiver operating curve. Then, using the patient-reported anchor, an improvement of 1.36 in the AVQI was estimated as the MID for patients' voice-related disability. The distribution-based approach also ensured the anchor-based results of both the MIDs. CONCLUSIONS: The AVQI is a reliable and valid tool for evaluating voice quality, and a 0.95 decrease in the AVQI represents a meaningful improvement for clinicians' perception, whereas a 1.36 decrease in the AVQI influences patients' self-reported disability. This study contributes to understanding the minimal change necessary for clinicians to make informed decisions and ensure patient satisfaction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 134:2805-2811, 2024.


Voice Quality , Humans , Retrospective Studies , Female , Male , Middle Aged , Adult , Surveys and Questionnaires , Voice Disorders/diagnosis , Voice Disorders/therapy , Reproducibility of Results , Aged , Dysphonia/diagnosis , Dysphonia/therapy , Dysphonia/physiopathology , Minimal Clinically Important Difference , Treatment Outcome , Speech Acoustics
7.
Am J Speech Lang Pathol ; 33(2): 814-830, 2024 Mar 07.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38101322

PURPOSE: Rehabilitation intervention descriptions often do not explicitly identify active ingredients or how those ingredients lead to changes in patient functioning. The Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System (RTSS) provides guidance to identify the critical aspects of any rehabilitation therapy and supported the development of standardly named ingredients and targets in voice therapy (Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System for Voice Therapy [RTSS-Voice]). This study sought to test the content validity of the RTSS-Voice and determine if the RTSS-Voice can be used to identify commonalities and differences in treatment (criterion validity) across clinicians in everyday clinical practice. METHOD: Five speech-language pathologists from different institutions videotaped one therapy session for 59 patients diagnosed with a voice or upper airway disorder. Specifications were created for each video, and iterative rounds of revisions were completed with the treating clinician and two RTSS experts until consensus was reached on each specification. RESULTS: All 59 sessions were specified without the addition of any targets or ingredients. There were two frequent targets: (a) increased volition and (b) decreased strained voice quality. There were three frequent ingredients: (a) information regarding the patient's capability and motivation to perform a therapeutic behavior, (b) knowledge of results feedback, and (c) opportunities to practice voicing with improved resonance and mean airflow. Across sessions treating vocal hyperfunction, there was large variability across clinicians regarding the types and number of treatment components introduced, types of feedback provided, and vocal practice within spontaneous speech and negative practice. CONCLUSIONS: The RTSS and the RTSS-Voice demonstrated strong content validity, as they comprehensively characterized 59 therapy sessions. They also demonstrated strong criterion validity, as commonalities and differences were identified in everyday voice therapy for vocal hyperfunction across multiple clinicians. Future work to translate RTSS principles and RTSS-Voice terms into clinical documentation can help to understand how clinician and patient variability impacts outcomes and bridge the research-practice gap. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.24796875.


Voice Disorders , Voice , Humans , Voice Quality , Voice Disorders/diagnosis , Voice Disorders/therapy
9.
Neurol Clin ; 41(4): 635-646, 2023 Nov.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37775195

Historically, formal training for speech-language therapists (SLTs) in the area of functional speech and voice disorders (FSVD) has been limited, as has the body of empirical research in this content area. Recent efforts in the field have codified expert opinions on best practices for diagnosing and treating FSVD and have begun to demonstrate positive treatment outcomes. To provide comprehensive interventions for these complex conditions at the intersection of neurology, psychiatry, and other medical specialties, the SLT must not only build knowledge of diagnostic strategies and components of symptomatic treatment in FSVD but also embrace behavior change techniques and counseling strategies.


Speech , Voice Disorders , Humans , Voice Disorders/diagnosis , Voice Disorders/therapy , Treatment Outcome
10.
HNO ; 71(9): 549-555, 2023 Sep.
Article De | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37550492

Standardized and validated patient surveys in the form of questionnaires are becoming increasingly important in otorhinolaryngology. Subjective symptoms and functional limitations but also health-related quality of life are assessed with so-called patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Besides patient history and objective findings, these questionnaires can be applied as another important source for ensuring the quality of patient-centered care. In German-speaking countries there are now several PROMs that specifically ask for the patient perspective on voice and swallowing disorders. For patients with voice disorders the following questionnaires based on the Voice Handicap Index (VHI), which are also used internationally, are mainly applied: VHI-30, VHI-12i, and VHI-9i. In the field of oropharyngeal dysphagia, the German versions of the Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10), des Sydney Swallow Questionnaire SSQ­G, the Swallowing Quality of Life Questionnaire (SWAL-QoL), and the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) are currently mostly used.


Deglutition Disorders , Voice Disorders , Voice , Humans , Deglutition Disorders/diagnosis , Deglutition Disorders/therapy , Quality of Life , Deglutition , Voice Disorders/diagnosis , Voice Disorders/therapy , Surveys and Questionnaires , Patient Reported Outcome Measures
11.
Parkinsonism Relat Disord ; 114: 105772, 2023 09.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37531838

BACKGROUND: Speech therapy is highly effective for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) who have speech difficulties; however, its accessibility is limited. Online video-call speech therapy has been explored as an alternative option for PD patients. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of video-call speech therapy for PD patients. METHODS: This prospective, comparative study was conducted between July and September 2022. PD patients with speech difficulties were divided into two groups, online speech therapy via video call and in-person therapy at hospital, based on their willingness to visit the hospital frequently. The patients underwent 12 sessions of speech therapy, focusing on respiration and phonation. Acoustic assessments, auditory-perceptual assessment, and voice handicap index (K-VHI10) were evaluated at baseline, post-therapy, and follow-up. RESULTS: Eleven patients were enrolled in the study, though one patient from the online group withdrew. Ten patients completed the therapy (five in each group) without missing a session. The baseline acoustic measurements did not differ between the two groups. After therapy, both group showed an increase in voice intensity and improvement in overall loudness. The post-therapy change from baseline in the acoustic measurements was not significantly different between the two groups. The effect of therapy were maintained in the follow-up evaluation in both groups. The K-VHI10 decreased significantly from baseline to post-therapy and further at follow-up in both groups, with no significant difference between two groups. CONCLUSION: The online speech therapy via video call is feasible in PD patients with speech difficulties and as effective as in-person therapy.


Parkinson Disease , Voice Disorders , Humans , Speech Therapy , Voice Disorders/etiology , Voice Disorders/therapy , Parkinson Disease/complications , Parkinson Disease/therapy , Prospective Studies , Feasibility Studies , Speech Disorders/etiology , Speech Disorders/therapy
12.
Int J Lang Commun Disord ; 58(5): 1752-1767, 2023.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37282797

BACKGROUND: Although speech and voice disorders are common in Parkinson's disease (PD), there is insufficient evidence to support the effectiveness of behavioural speech therapies in these patients. AIMS: This study aimed to examine the effects of a new tele-rehabilitation program, a combining of conventional speech therapy and singing intervention, on voice deficits in patients with PD. METHODS & PROCEDURES: This study was a three-armed, assessor-masked, randomised controlled trial. Thirty-three people with PD were randomly assigned to the combination therapy, conventional speech therapy, or singing intervention group. This study followed the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials guidelines for non-pharmacological treatment. Each patient participated in 12 tele-rehabilitation sessions over 4 weeks. The combination therapy group received speech and singing interventions simultaneously (respiratory, speech, voice, and singing exercises). Voice intensity as a primary outcome and the voice handicap index (VHI), maximum frequency range, jitter and shimmer as secondary outcomes were evaluated 1 week before the first intervention session, 1 week after the last intervention session and 3 months after the last evaluation. OUTCOMES & RESULTS: The results of repeated measures analysis of variance showed a significant main effect of time on all outcomes in all three groups after treatment (p < 0.001). There was a significant group effect for voice intensity (p < 0.001), VHI (p < 0.001), maximum frequency range (p = 0.014) and shimmer (p = 0.001). The combination therapy group demonstrated a significant outperformance in the VHI and shimmer than the speech therapy (p = 0.038) and singing intervention (p < 0.001) groups. The results of this study also indicated that combination therapy group compared to singing intervention group had a larger effect on voice intensity (p < 0.001), shimmer (p < 0.001) and maximum frequency range (p = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATION: The results demonstrated that combining speech therapy with a singing intervention delivered through tele-rehabilitation might be more effective in improving voice problems in patients with PD. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurological disorder that frequently causes disturbances in speech and voice, which negatively affect patients' quality of life. Although speech difficulties occur in 90% of patients with PD, evidence-based treatment options for speech and language problems in these patients are limited. Therefore, further studies are required to develop and assess evidence-based treatment programs. What this study adds The findings of this study showed that a combination therapy program including conventional speech therapy approaches and individual singing intervention provided through tele-rehabilitation may have a greater effect on the improvement of voice problems in people with PD compared to speech therapy and singing intervention alone. What are the clinical implications of this work? Tele-rehabilitation combination therapy is an inexpensive and enjoyable behavioural treatment. The advantages of this method are that it is easy to access, appropriate for many stages of voice problems in PD, requires no prior singing training, encourages voice health and self-management and maximises treatment resources available to people with PD. We believe that the results of this study can provide a new clinical basis for treatment of voice disorders in people with PD.


Parkinson Disease , Singing , Voice Disorders , Humans , Speech Therapy/methods , Speech , Parkinson Disease/complications , Quality of Life , Treatment Outcome , Voice Disorders/etiology , Voice Disorders/therapy
13.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37152623

Background: There is a paucity of literature examining the effect of Ventral Intermediate Nucleus (VIM) deep brain stimulation (DBS) on voice in patients with vocal tremor (VT). Objective: Investigate the effect of unilateral and bilateral VIM DBS on voice in patients with Essential Tremor (ET) and VT. Methods: All patients receiving VIM DBS surgery underwent voice evaluation pre- and six-months post-operatively. We collected patient-reported quality-of-life outcome measures and acoustic voice measures of sustained phonation and connected speech. Acoustic measures specific to VT included amplitude tremor intensity index (ATRI), frequency tremor intensity index (FTRI), rate and extent of F0 modulation, and rate and extent of intensity modulation. Results: Five patients, age 72.8 ± 2.6 years, 4 female, 1 male with mean disease duration of 29 ± 26.2 years met the inclusion criteria and were included. Two subjects had bilateral procedure and three had unilateral. We observed significant improvements in measures of vocal tremor including ATRI, FTRI, rate of F0 modulation, rate of intensity modulation, and extent of intensity modulation, as well as patient reported voice-related quality of life measured by VHI-10. Bilateral VIM DBS cases showed greater improvement in VT than unilateral cases. Conclusion: Both unilateral and bilateral VIM DBS resulted in significant improvement of VT, with more improvement demonstrated in patients having bilateral as compared to unilateral VIM DBS. In addition, patients also reported significant improvements in voice-related quality of life. If larger studies confirm our results, VIM DBS has the potential to become a treatment specifically for disabling VT.


Deep Brain Stimulation , Essential Tremor , Voice Disorders , Humans , Male , Female , Aged , Tremor/etiology , Essential Tremor/therapy , Essential Tremor/etiology , Deep Brain Stimulation/methods , Quality of Life , Voice Disorders/therapy
14.
Article Zh | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37138396

Objective:To determine the effectiveness of individualized voice therapy in persistent pediatric voice disorders. Methods:Thirty-eight children who were admitted to the Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University due to persistent voice disorder from November 2021 to October 2022 were included. All children were evaluated by dynamic laryngoscopy before voice therapy. Two voice doctors performed GRBAS score and acoustic analysis on the children's voice samples to obtain the relevant parameters including F0, Jitter, Shimmer, and MPT; All children were given personalized voice therapy for 8 weeks. Results:Among 38 children with voice disorders, 75.8%(29 cases) were diagnosed with vocal nodules, 20.6%(8 cases) were vocal polyps, and 3.4%(1 case) were vocal cysts. And in all children. And 51.7%(20 cases) had the sign of supraglottic extrusion under dynamic laryngoscopy. GRBAS scores decreased from 1.93 ± 0.62, 1.82 ± 0.55, 0.98 ± 0.54, 0.65 ± 0.48, 1.05 ± 0.52 to 0.62 ± 0.60, 0.58 ± 0.53, 0.32 ± 0.40, 0.22 ± 0.36, 0.37 ± 0.36. F0, Jitter, Shimmer decreased from(243.11±39.73) Hz, (0.85±0.99)%, (9.96±3.78)% to(225.43±43.20) Hz, (0.33±0.57)%, (7.72±4.32)%, respectively MPT was prolonged from(5.82±2.30) s to(7.87±3.21) s after treatment. All parameters changes had statistical significance. Conclusion:Voice therapy can solve children's voice problems, improve their voice quality and effectively treat children's voice disorders.


Voice Disorders , Voice , Humans , Child , Voice Disorders/therapy , Voice Disorders/diagnosis , Voice Quality , Acoustics , Speech Acoustics , Vocal Cords/surgery
15.
Am J Speech Lang Pathol ; 32(3): 1050-1064, 2023 05 04.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37059074

PURPOSE: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and related conditions, such as discrimination, are social determinants of health (SDOHs). Critical race theory (CRT) is a lens through which to understand SDOHs in a way that may impact our clinical care. When prolonged or chronic, SDOHs might cause toxic stress and trauma, which, in turn, adversely affect health and are shown to be relevant for some voice disorders. The goals of this tutorial are to (a) review the literature on SDOHs that potentially contribute to disparities; (b) discuss explanatory models and theories that describe how psychosocial factors influence health; (c) relate the foregoing information to voice disorders, highlighting functional voice disorders (FVDs) as a particular case in point; and (d) describe how trauma-informed care can improve patient outcomes and advance health equity for vulnerable populations. CONCLUSIONS: This tutorial concludes with a call for heightened awareness of the role that SDOHs such as structural and individual discrimination may play in voice disorders, and a call for research into SDOHs, traumatic stress, and health disparities in this patient population. A call is also made for more universal practice of trauma-informed care in the clinical voice domain.


Social Determinants of Health , Voice Disorders , Humans , Surveys and Questionnaires , Voice Disorders/diagnosis , Voice Disorders/etiology , Voice Disorders/therapy
17.
Eur J Pediatr ; 182(6): 2485-2497, 2023 Jun.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36973568

The main causes of voice disorders in children with adverse vocal behavior include benign lesions of the vocal folds caused by voice abuse or misuses, such as vocal fold nodules, vocal fold polyps, and laryngitis. Long-term voice disorders can affect the physical and mental health of children. Reviewing the literature of the last two decades on "Vocal Fold Nodules," "Vocal Fold Polyp," "Voice disorder," "Voice Abuse," "Voice Misuse," "Pediatrics," and "Children" with the appropriate Boolean operators.  Conclusion: A total of 315 results were returned on an initial PubMed search. All articles from 2000 to 2022 written in English or Chinese were screened. Duplicate articles, those relating to adults only or concerned with the malignant lesion of the vocal cord, were excluded, resulting in 196 articles of interest. Relevant references and books have also been consulted, and we provide a review of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of these maladaptive vocal behavioral voice disorders. What is Known: • Hoarseness is the most common voice symptom in children, and there are various causes of hoarseness in children. However, there is a lack of reviews on voice disorders caused by adverse vocal habits in children. • Voice training is a conservative treatment method for children with voice disorders , and it is important to clarify the factors that influence the effectiveness of voice training for children. What is New: • This review of the personality and family characteristics of children with adverse vocal behavioural voice disorders provides a valuable guide to the clinical planning of subsequent treatment. • This article discusses and summarises some of the factors that may influence the effectiveness of voice training in children and collates some of the scales and questionnaires currently used in children that are important in predicting the effectiveness of voice training.


Laryngeal Diseases , Mental Disorders , Voice Disorders , Adult , Humans , Child , Hoarseness/diagnosis , Hoarseness/etiology , Hoarseness/therapy , Voice Disorders/diagnosis , Voice Disorders/etiology , Voice Disorders/therapy , Vocal Cords/pathology , Laryngeal Diseases/complications , Laryngeal Diseases/diagnosis , Laryngeal Diseases/pathology
18.
Am J Otolaryngol ; 44(2): 103789, 2023.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36708683

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Attendance is essential to voice therapy's effectiveness in the treatment of voice and laryngeal disorders. With such high rates of drop-out and non-attendance, it is important to understand the factors that influence this behavior. This study sought to identify potential predictors of attendance to voice therapy at an interdisciplinary voice clinic. STUDY DESIGN: Single-institution retrospective cohort study. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, patients evaluated at an interdisciplinary voice clinic who received a referral for voice therapy were identified. Age, gender, voice-related diagnoses, Voice Handicap Index-10 scores, Reflux Symptom Index scores, and measures of patient perceptions (self-rated severity, importance of voice in one's life, and "feelings about voice therapy") were recorded to evaluate associations with attendance to at least one therapy session. Standard statistical analysis and logistic regressions were performed. RESULTS: Of 168 subjects included, 111 (66.1 %) attended at least one session of voice therapy. Patients diagnosed with primary hyperfunctional voice disorders had a significantly higher attendance rate than other groups. Attenders had higher self-ratings of severity and more positive "feelings about voice therapy" compared to non-attenders. Regression models found three significant predictors of therapy attendance: primary diagnosis of hyperfunctional voice disorder, self-rated severity, and "feelings about voice therapy." CONCLUSION: In this cohort, patients with more positive feelings about voice therapy, higher self-rated severity, and a diagnosis of primary hyperfunctional voice disorder were more likely to attend voice therapy.


Dysphonia , Gastroesophageal Reflux , Voice Disorders , Humans , Dysphonia/diagnosis , Retrospective Studies , Voice Disorders/diagnosis , Voice Disorders/therapy , Patient Compliance , Voice Training
19.
Laryngorhinootologie ; 102(9): 662-668, 2023 09.
Article De | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36580973

BACKGROUND: Treatment approaches for voice therapy are diverse and two treatment approaches in voice therapy with assistive devices will be evaluated and compared for efficacy. Evaluations of the treatment effects of different approaches are important for clinical consultation and evidence-based practice. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of Novafon Local Vibration Voice Therapy (NLVVT) and Water Resistance Therapy (WRT) using Voice Handicap Index (VHI). DESIGN: Systematic literature search and meta-analysis with random effects model. DATA SOURCES: The analysis of two databases (MEDLINE and CENTRAL) and a manual search from inception to September 19th 2021. STUDY SELECTION: Any clinical trial with case series in a pre-post design written in English or German that tested the efficacy of NLVVT or WRT using VHI (functional [F], physical [P], and emotional [E] aspects, and total score [T]) in adult voice patients with an organic or functional voice disorder was considered. RESULTS: Five eligible studies were identified (NLVVT n= 22; WRT n= 42). Both treatment approaches showed highly significant improvement in all aspects of the VHI (p-values< 0.01). In direct comparison, NLVVT achieved significantly higher improvements in VHI-T, VHI-F and VHI-E than WRT (p-values< 0.01). Comparable improvement was received in VHI-P (p= 0.28). CONCLUSION: NLVVT and WRT are effective treatments for voice disorders related to the subjective evaluation of a voice disorder. In direct comparison, NLVVT achieved higher improvements than WRT in most VHI aspects.


Dysphonia , Voice Disorders , Adult , Humans , Vibration/therapeutic use , Voice Quality , Disability Evaluation , Voice Disorders/therapy , Surveys and Questionnaires , Water
20.
Laryngoscope ; 133(6): 1448-1454, 2023 06.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36314426

BACKGROUND: Despite many available patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for laryngeal movement disorders, there is a lack of patient input regarding which PROM most accurately and conveniently captures aspects related to their vocal disease. This study aimed to assess patients' preferences among a selection of voice-related PROMs (Voice Handicap Index-10 [VHI-10], OMNI-Vocal Effort Scale [OMNI-VES], Communicative Participation Item Bank-General Short Form [CPIB-10], and Visual Analog Scales [VAS]) within the laryngeal movement disorder population and investigate associations between selected instruments. METHODS: Prior to botulinum toxin A injection, patients with laryngeal dystonia and/or essential tremor of the vocal tract were administered the VHI-10, OMNI-VES, CPIB-10, and three novel VAS questions in a randomized order. Patients rank ordered the four PROMs based on the PROMs' reflection of their voice problems. Pearson's correlation coefficients evaluated pairwise associations among PROM scores. Fisher's exact test compared the preferred PROM rankings. RESULTS: Seventy patients (53 female, mean age = 60.7 years) participated. The VHI-10 and CPIB-10 were most preferred at 33.9% and 27.4% respectively. The OMNI-VES and VAS scales were less favored (19.4%, each). When analyzed by age ≥60 years, the CPIB-10 was most favored (33.3%), but for age <60 years, VHI-10 was most preferred (42.3%). There was a strong correlation between scores of all administered PROMs (strongest correlation between OMNI-VES and VAS, r = 0.8, p < 0.001; the weakest correlation between OMNI-VES and VHI-10, r = 0.6, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: With an increasing trend in PROMs usage and a strong correlation between all evaluated outcome instruments, insight regarding patients' PROM preferences is an area for further consideration. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 133:1448-1454, 2023.


Dysphonia , Essential Tremor , Voice Disorders , Humans , Female , Middle Aged , Patient Preference , Voice Quality , Voice Disorders/therapy , Patient Reported Outcome Measures
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