A comparative study of stretch-and-flow voice therapy versus Smith accent method in rehabilitation of hyperfunctional dysphonia: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background This work aims to compare between stretch-and-flow voice therapy and Smith accent method of voice therapy in treatment of hyperfunctional dysphonia in order to assess the benefit of using this new technique in its management. A randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Unit of Phoniatrics, Otorhinolaryngology Department, in the period from November 2020 to February 2023. A sample of 60 patients with hyperfunctional dysphonia was randomly divided into two groups; each group consisted of 30 patients: “group A” who received stretch-and-flow voice therapy (SnF) and “group B” who received Smith accent (SA) method of voice therapy. Assessment included auditory perceptual assessment (APA) using modified GRBAS scale and Arabic-voice handicap index (Arabic-VHI). Results The study revealed significant improvement in grade of dysphonia, voice quality, and Arabic-VHI post-therapy for both groups. There was a significant improvement regarding voice pitch in SnF group only and in loudness of voice in SA group only. Conclusion SnF can be considered as an alternative approach for treating hyperfunctional dysphonia, offering a shorter duration, and potentially being a simpler alternative for patients who struggle with the more intricate rhythms of the Smith Aaccent voice therapy method.