PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF VOICE THERAPY EFFECTIVENESS IN PATIENTS
WITH DYSPHONIA: CASE SERIES
PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF VOICE THERAPY EFFECTIVENESS IN PATIENTS
WITH DYSPHONIA: CASE SERIESAuthor: Alise Adovia1Scientific research
supervisors: MD Dins Sumerags1,2, BD Mra Lokenbaha21 Rga Stradi
University, Latvia2 P. Stradins Clinical University Hospital,
Latvia
Dysphonia - voice disorder characterized by altered vocal
quality, pitch, loudness, or vocal effort that impairs
communication or reduces voice-relatedquality of life.
Hoarseness affects nearly 1/3 of thepopulation at some point in
their lives.
Seth R. Schwartz et al, Clinical practice guideline: Hoarseness
(Dysphonia) OtolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery, Vol 141, No 3S2,
September 2009
Aim
Evaluate the effectiveness of voice therapy in patients, who
used only this method for dysphonia treatment in Pauls Stradins
Clinical University Hospital in year 2015
5 patients with different diagnosis were observed
1st therapeutic course 4 females, 1 male Non-smokers 4 6
workshops
At least 2 weeks period, 4 undrerwnt workshops4
Patient evaluationObjectiveMicrophone + PCInventis program
DaisyFundamental frequencyJitter and shimmerHarmonics to noise
ratioSpectrogramPhonetogramMax phonation time
SubjectiveQuestionnaire Voice handicap
indexFuncionalPhysicalEmotionalGRBAS scoreGradeRoughnessBreathiness
Asthenia Strain
Paresis n.recurrens dextra
BeforeAfter
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Lucas
Leon Oller, Analysis of Voice Signals for the Harmonics-to-Noise
Crossover Frequency, 2008
Fundamental frequency (Fo) Jitter (Jt) Shimmer (Sh) Harmonics to
noise ratio (HNR)
Amplitude/ distance7
BeforeAfter
Normal
Abnormal
BeforeAfter
Saturation/ fulfilment of overtones
9
Phonetogram voice range profileBefore
After
dBHzdBHz
Voice field10
Results Objective parameters have improved in all patients Most
difficult vowel is [a - latvian] MPT was normal in 3 patients4
patients raised VHI score by self-assessment Different value of
GRBAS score of patient and researcher
For a pure soundGRBAS tend to be the same kind after
therapy11
Conclusions Voice therapy could be effective also as a single
therapeutic method Objective and subjective values demonstrate
improvement It is reasonable to include voice therapy in the
therapeutic strategy Patient collaboration and motivation is
essential
Due to the fact, that in this case study were evaluated small
number of patients who has chosen voice therapy as a single
therapeutic method and there are a lot of co-factors, that can
change the results (e.g. patient attitude, individual practise,
lifestyle) it is rather impossible to evaluate this therapy
effectiveness in statistically significant way.
12
Thank you!
Alise Adovia