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Introduction Current literature reveals that up to 88% of individuals undergoing behavioral speech therapy (BST) for chronic refractory cough (CRC) demonstrate benefit at 4-8 weeks post-treatment. However, investigations of BST are confounded by overlapping use of neuromodulators, missing follow-up data, and an absence of long-term outcomes. This study investigated treatment outcomes beyond 6 months in individuals diagnosed with CRC, and whose treatment outcomes were clinically undocumented. Methods Participants with CRC 6 months or greater beyond treatment completion were recruited. Participants completed a post-treatment Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) and a telephone interview. Demographic data, cough characteristics, treatment adherence, BST outcomes, and pre- and post-treatment LCQ scores were evaluated. Results 80 individuals met inclusion criteria and 29 consented to participate. Of these, 27 were recommended BST. The majority were female (19/27) with average age of 58 years (SD = 12). Mean cough duration was 60 months (SD = 98) and mean post-BST duration was 20 months (SD = 9). A significant increase in pre- to post-treatment LCQ scores occurred [4.4 (SD = 4.2)] (p < 0.0001). Conclusion This study addressed long-term BST benefit for CRC and demonstrated a significant improvement in long-term post-treatment LCQ total scores more than a year after BST for CRC. More than half of participants indicated improvement or elimination of their cough. These findings further support the benefit of BST for CRC. Future research should consider patient perspectives about treatment outcomes given that 44% of participants reported no benefit from BST., Author(s): Miranda L. Wright [sup.1] [sup.2], Krishna M. Sundar [sup.3], Jennifer S. Herrick [sup.4], Julie M. Barkmeier-Kraemer [sup.1] [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.223827.e, 0000 0001 2193 0096, Division of Otolaryngology-Head [...]

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the typical symptoms and medical management characteristics of adult patients with refractory chronic cough (RCC) who are referred to speech-language pathology (SLP) for behavioral cough suppression therapy (BCST) in order to estimate cost-effectiveness and efficiency of current practice patterns for this population. Methods One hundred sixty-four (164) patients with RCC referred for BCST were surveyed. Patients completed an initial survey at BCST onset related to symptom pattern and prior treatment, including the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ). Every four to six weeks patients completed follow-up surveys to assess their response to BCST. Results Mean age was 58 years (83.5% women). The majority of patients reported their cough began two or more years prior to BCST. Approximately half (49%) reported seeing four or more physicians (including primary care physicians) and being prescribed four or more medications (57%) prior to BCST. Medications targeting post-nasal drip (72%), reflux (70%), asthma (56%), and allergies (56%) were most commonly prescribed. BCST resulted in a clinically significant improvement in 70.1% of participants. The mean change in LCQ for those who improved with BCST was 6.61. Over half (58%) reported they were quite satisfied to completely satisfied with their treatment response. The average time from enrollment to study completion was 64 days. Conclusion The results of this study suggest early intervention with BCST may be a cost-effective and efficient option for patients with RCC., Author(s): Laurie J. Slovarp [sup.1], Marie E. Jetté [sup.2], Amanda I. Gillespie [sup.3], Jane E. Reynolds [sup.1], Julie M. Barkmeier-Kraemer [sup.4] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.253613.0, 0000 0001 2192 5772, School [...]

Purpose: Anxiety is a mental state characterized by an intense sense of tension, worry, or apprehension relative to something adverse that might happen in the future. Anxiety is a known comorbidity in cough patients, yet its prevalence among those with chronic refractory cough (CRC) is unknown. Anxiety is not typically assessed during evaluation for CRC, but treatments for CRC such as neuromodulators and behavioral cough suppression therapy (BCST) may potentially attenuate anxiety. This preliminary study investigates the potential prevalence of anxiety in CRC and its possible role in treatment outcomes. Method: CRC patients seen in a specialty clinic at the University of Utah or the University of Montana completed the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) preand post-BCST treatment. Participants were dichotomized into positive anxiety screen (PAS) and negative anxiety screen (NAS) groups based on presence or absence of documented anxiety within electronic medical records at the University of Utah and based on a Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 score > 5 at the University of Montana. Results: Of the 86 total participants, 37 (43%) were in the PAS group (29 females, Mage = 56 ± 13) and 49 (57%) were in the NAS group (36 females, Mage = 64 ± 14). Eighty-nine percent of CRC participants with a PAS reported a clinically meaningful improvement in LCQ total score following treatment compared to 65% of NAS participants. Furthermore, mean pre- to posttreatment change scores on the LCQ were significantly greater within the PAS group (p = .002, Cohen's d = 0.7, indicating a moderate to large effect size). Conclusion: This preliminary study suggests that (a) anxiety may be prevalent among those with CRC and (b) those patients who screen positive for anxiety report greater benefit from BCST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine if respiratory and laryngeal function during spontaneous speaking were different for teachers with voice disorders compared with teachers without voice problems. Method: Eighteen teachers, 9 with and 9 without voice disorders, were included in this study. Respiratory function was measured with magnetometry, and laryngeal function was measured with electroglottography during 3 spontaneous speaking tasks: a simulated teaching task at a typical loudness level, a simulated teaching task at an increased loudness level, and a conversational speaking task. Electroglottography measures were also obtained for 3 structured speaking tasks: a paragraph reading task, a sustained vowel, and a maximum phonation time vowel. Results: Teachers with voice disorders started and ended their breath groups at significantly smaller lung volumes than teachers without voice problems during teaching-related speaking tasks; however, there were no between-group differences in laryngeal measures. Task-related differences were found on several respiratory measures and on one laryngeal measure. Conclusions: These findings suggest that teachers with voice disorders used different speech breathing strategies than teachers without voice problems. Implications for clinical management of teachers with voice disorders are discussed.

Purpose: To determine if respiratory and laryngeal function during spontaneous speaking were different for teachers with voice disorders compared with teachers without voice problems. Method: Eighteen teachers, 9 with and [...]

Objectives/hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of dysphagia definition on the incidence and overall prevalence of dysphagia in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVP) stratified by etiology.Study Design: Retrospective medical chart review.Methods: Data was collected from the records of individuals diagnosed with UVP from 2013 to 2018, including patient demographics, dysphagia questionnaire total scores, clinical evaluation dysphagia symptoms, and instrumental swallow assessment outcomes. The annual incidence and overall prevalence of dysphagia were calculated by etiology as counts and percentages across five operational definitions of dysphagia.Results: A total of 415 individuals met inclusion criteria for the study. Annual prevalence estimates ranged from 19% to 55%, depending on the definition of dysphagia used. The highest prevalence of dysphagia occurred when defined by symptoms or signs identified by the clinician (55%). The lowest prevalence of dysphagia occurred using a definition of abnormal swallowing function documented during instrumental assessment (19%). Dysphagia questionnaire scores were more frequently abnormal in those with iatrogenic than idiopathic etiology of UVP (adjusted P = 0.014). Rate of instrumental assessment and documentation of aspiration was highest for central UVP etiology (33%). On average, pneumonia was rare (6%) irrespective of UVP etiology.Conclusion: Up to 55% of patients diagnosed with UVP complained of dysphagia, but only 21% had dysphagia symptoms severe enough to prompt instrumental assessment. Incidence and severity of dysphagia varied depending on UVP etiologic category as well as dysphagia definition. The etiology of UVP may impact dysphagia risk and severity in this population and warrants further investigation.Level Of Evidence: IV Laryngoscope, 130:2397-2404, 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]