Treatments for Age-Related Vocal Atrophy: A Systematic Review
Laryngoscope
Bhatt, N. K., Garber, D., et al. (2023).
Laryngoscope, 133(11), 2846-2855.
This systematic review investigates the effects of behavioral and/or procedural (i.e., surgical) interventions on a variety of outcomes (i.e., laryngeal function or appearance, auditory-perceptual, acoustic, aerodynamic, patient-reported outcome measures) in adults with age-related vocal fold atrophy (ARVA).
Not stated
2000 to March 9, 2022
Published, English-language studies with a control group or alternative treatment comparator group
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<div>Three studies investigating behavioral voice therapy found improvements in laryngeal outcomes via endoscopy in adults with ARVA as compared to the control group. These studies failed to show similarly consistent benefits across aerodynamic, acoustic, auditory-perceptual, and patient-reported outcomes. Comparable outcomes were noted between voice treatment and surgical approaches.</div>
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<div>Due to the limited number of studies, inconsistent diagnostic criteria, the lack of follow-up and long-term data, and variability in how treatment effects were reported, the authors conclude that both behavioral and procedural treatments provide benefits; however, additional research is warranted to determine what type of intervention provides the best results for adults with ARVA.</div>
