Visual biofeedback effectively reduces paradoxical vocal fold motion symptoms: Study
Rachelle Alyce LeBlanc and associates from the Division of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada recently have found out that visual biofeedback effectively reduces short-term subjective symptoms and asthma medication use and gives positive results in Paradoxical vocal fold motion patients.
The study is published in the Journal of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery.
Paradoxical vocal fold motion (PVFM) is a common condition where the vocal folds inappropriately adduct during inspiration. This results in dyspnea and occasionally significant distress. The condition is thought to be primarily functional, with behavioural therapy considered mainstay in the non-acute setting. However, practice variations and limited access to speech language pathology (SLP) services can pose management challenges.
Hence, the authors conducted this study to examine the efficacy of surgeon performed visual biofeedback as first-line treatment for PVFM.
Adult patients referred for possible PVFM and congruent laryngoscopy findings over a two-year period were included. Patients were excluded if they presented in acute distress, had alternate diagnosis to explain symptomology and/or coexisting untreated lower respiratory pathology.
Patients underwent immediate surgeon-performed visual biofeedback on the same visit day. The primary outcome of interest was change in Dyspnea Index (DI) scores pre- and post-intervention 3 months follow-up. The secondary outcome measured was change in asthma medication use from baseline to follow-up.
The results showed that -
a. Of 34 patients presenting, 25 met inclusion criteria.
b. Of these, 72% were female with an average age of 36.9 ± 14.1.
c. Approximately 48% of patients had a diagnosis of well-controlled asthma at presentation and co-morbid psychiatric diagnoses were common (52%).
d. Pre- and post-intervention analysis showed significant improvement in DI scores (p < 0.001) and reduction in bronchodilator use (p = 0.003).
Therefore, the authors concluded that "visual biofeedback effectively reduces short-term subjective symptoms and asthma medication use in Paradoxical vocal fold motion patients."
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