Cross-system effects of dysphagia treatment on dysphonia: a case report

Abstract

Traditionally, treatment of dysphagia and dysphonia has followed a specificity approach whereby treatment plans have focused on each dysfunction individually. Recently however, a therapeutic cross-system effect has been proposed between these two dysfunctions. At least one study has demonstrated swallowing improvement in subjects who completed a dysphonia treatment program. However, we are unaware of any evidence demonstrating the converse effect. In this paper, we present a case-report of a 74 year old male who demonstrated improvement in selected vocal parameters after completion of a dysphagia therapy program.Dysphagia therapy resulted in improved laryngeal function in this subject. Results implicate improved vocal fold tension with increased glottal closure. Further investigation into the potential for this cross-system effect is warranted.

Acoustic Analysis of Voice Change in Normal Speakers Following Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation to the Laryngeal Area~!2010-04-20~!2010-06-27~!2010-07-29~!

“…A few published reports have also documented improvement in vocal function. LaGorio, Carnaby-Mann, & Crary [4] reported an improvement in maximum phonation time and pitch range in a patient who received TES in conjunction with traditional dysphagia therapy. They noted that the improvement in vocal function likely reflected the combined effect of TES and swallowing exercises e.g.…”

Effect of Laryngopharyngeal Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Dysphonia Accompanied by Dysphagia in Post-stroke and Traumatic Brain Injury Patients: A Pilot Study

“…Actually, vocal fold instability is closely related to laryngeal muscle weakness, and many treatments can be applied for strengthening of such muscles, among which laryngopharyngeal NMES has been vigorously researched in the clinical setting [6781011]. In the present study, the NMES group showed a significant group-by-time interaction with regard to jitter, which represents the frequency perturbation of vocal fold vibration.…”

Effects of electrical stimulation on vocal functions in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

“…Collectively, these studies showed emerging evidence in utilizing NMES on patients with vocal fold bowing, unilateral laryngeal nerve paresis, and vocal nodules . Regarding the use of NMES in head and neck cancer patients, only a single case report was found in the literature supporting its use for vocal rehabilitation . In this study, following 15 days of NMES paired with effortful swallow technique, the post chemoradiation patient with tongue squamous cell carcinoma showed improvement in maximum phonation time and highest attainable pitch.…”

“…In this study, following 15 days of NMES paired with effortful swallow technique, the post chemoradiation patient with tongue squamous cell carcinoma showed improvement in maximum phonation time and highest attainable pitch. The authors speculated that NMES increased vocal fold tension and promoted glottal closure, thus reducing vocal impairment …”