Multi‐Institutional Study of Patient‐Reported Outcomes of Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion.

Objective: To explore patient‐reported outcome measures of pediatric paradoxical vocal fold motion through a multi‐institutional study of geographically diverse United States medical facilities to assess long‐term management and outcomes. Methods: Eligible participants >8 years of age diagnosed with PVFM over a 10‐year period from 7 tertiary pediatric hospitals were invited to complete a survey addressing study objectives. Results: 65 participants completed the survey, of whom 80% were female, 75% reported a 3.5 grade point average or better, and 75% identified as competitive athletes or extremely athletic individuals. Participants rated their perceived efficacy of 13 specific treatments. Only five treatments were considered effective by a majority of the participants who tried them. The treatments that participants tried most often were breathing exercises (89.2%), bronchodilator treatments (45%), and allergy medications (35.4%). 78.8% of participants reported receiving more than one treatment and 25% reported receiving a combination of bronchodilators, anticholinergics, and steroids. At the time of PVFM diagnosis, 38% of participants had no idea when their symptoms would completely resolve. 23.3% of participants did not experience symptom resolution until greater than 1 year after diagnosis. Conclusions: Traditional management tools such as breathing exercises and biofeedback treatments may not provide the long‐term benefit that providers anticipate. In addition to these commonly used management strategies, highly efficacious techniques such as counseling and lifestyle management should be incorporated into the long‐term management of patients whose symptoms are refractory to traditional care. Level of Evidence: 4 Laryngoscope, 133:970–976, 2023 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]