1. The role of early voice therapy in the incidence of motility recovery in unilateral vocal fold paralysis.
- Author
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Mattioli F, Bergamini G, Alicandri-Ciufelli M, Molteni G, Luppi MP, Nizzoli F, Grammatica A, and Presutti L
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Biomechanical Phenomena, Female, Humans, Italy, Male, Middle Aged, Prospective Studies, Recovery of Function, Surveys and Questionnaires, Time Factors, Treatment Outcome, Vocal Cord Paralysis diagnosis, Vocal Cord Paralysis physiopathology, Young Adult, Vocal Cord Paralysis therapy, Vocal Cords physiopathology, Voice Quality, Voice Training
- Abstract
Unlabelled: OBJECTIVES. Vocal fold paralysis can have a significant impact on a patient's quality of life. The aim of this study was to analyze, in terms of vocal improvement and motility recovery, the post-vocal treatment results of patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) who underwent early voice therapy. Study design. A 7 years prospective study of patients with an UVFP who underwent our multidimensional diagnostic-therapeutic assessment. MATERIAL AND METHODS. Seventy-four patients with UVFP were included in the study. All patients underwent a voice therapy based on forcible exercises supplemented by manipulations and maneuvers. A pre and post-treatment objective voice evaluation and self-assessment was made., Results: Out of 74 patients with UVFP, 51 (68.9%) recovered vocal fold motility. In 23 (31.1%), UVFP persisted after voice therapy. In this group of patients, a complete glottal closure was seen in 5 before voice therapy and in 13 after; An important and significant (p <0.0001) reduction in fundamental frequency (F(o)) was found; a manifest improvement was seen for the mean values of Jitter (Jitt%; p = 0.001), Shimmer (Shim%; p <0.0001) and noise-to-harmonic ratio (NHR) (p <0.0001). The same statistical comparisons calculated for male patients alone was not significant for Jitt% (0.102), Shim% (0.112) and NHR (0.155), as a result of the reduced number of patients in this group. Voice Handicap Index (VHI) values showed a clear and significant improvement and mean maximum phonation time (MPT) increased significantly. CONCLUSION. Early voice therapy based on an energetic approach, combined with patient co-operation, motivation and understanding through educated participation in the voice restoration process, strengthen the idea that patients with UVFP have a good chance of recovering vocal fold motility or improving their voice quality.
- Published
- 2011
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