Subjective evaluation of the long-term efficacy of speech therapy on dysfunctional dysphonia

Abstract

The objective of the study was to measure the subjective long-term effects of vocal therapy (more than 6 months) in 29 patients suffering from dysfunctional dysphonia. Four subjective measurements were used: one visual analog scale ranging from 0 (not efficient at all) to 100 (very efficient); one question "Is the speech therapy still efficient?," answered by yes or no; the GRB parameters of the GRBAS scale (evaluated by the patient); and the VHI-10. The results show that 76% of the patients consider that the vocal therapy they received is still efficient. On the vocal quality (G), roughness (R), and breathiness (B) parameters, we observe a high degree of satisfaction on the G parameter (median=77). The scores on the R and B parameters are lower (median R=12, S=5). Roughness is significantly correlated to the Grade (Spearman coefficient r=0.516, P=0.004), whereas breathiness is not (P=0.251, NS). The comparison of the results on the VHI-10 pre and post treatment shows a significant decrease in the grade of perceived handicap (medians 15 vs 11, P=0.017). The correlations between the judgment of the treatment's efficacy and the vocal quality is significant (r=0.623, P<0.001) as well as the correlation between the VHI-10 and the length of the treatment (r=0.416, P=0.035). The conclusion can be made that speech therapy plays an important role in long-term treatment of dysfunctional dysphonias.