The role of acoustic analysis of fundamental frequency in differentiating arytenoid dislocation from vocal fold paralysis

Abstract

Objective:Analysis of the sustained vowels of acoustic parameters in arytenoid dislocation and vocal fold paralysis. To investigate their acoustic characteristics and evaluate the role of this acoustic analysis method in differentiating arytenoid dislocation from vocal fold paralysis. Method:Thirty-three cases with unilateral vocal cord movement disorders were collected.All cases were divided into arytenoid dislocation group and vocal fold paralysis group through the laryngeal electromyography. Each group was further devided into male group and female group. The voice signals of sustained vowel of /a/ were measured using the software MDVP and obtain the acoustic parameters(Jitter, Shimmer, SPI and Fo). The acoustic characteristics between the two groups were observed and compared. Results were analyzed using Rank sum test for group design.Result:There were significant differences in Fo between arytenoid dislocation group and vocal fold paralysis group in both male and female group（P <0.05）. And mean rank order of Fo in arytenoid dislocation group was greater than vocal fold paralysis group. There were no significant differences in jitter,shimmer and SPI between arytenoid dislocation group and vocal fold paralysis group（P >0.05）.Conclusion:Mean rank order of Fo in arytenoid dislocation group is greater than vocal fold paralysis group in both the male and the female group. Fo is of value in differentiating arytenoid dislocation from vocal fold paralysis. This provides a theoretical basis for the acoustic analysis method to identify these two diseases.