Effect of Electrical Stimulation on the Treatment of Dysphonia: A Systematic Review
Journal of Voice
de Almeida, A. N. S., da Cunha, D. A., et al. (2022).
Journal of Voice, 36(5), 650-660.
This systematic review investigates the effects of electrical stimulation on phonation or vocal quality in individuals with dysphonia.
Not stated
Through February 2020
Experimental controlled studies (e.g., clinical trials, randomized studies)
11
<div>For individuals with spasmodic dysphonia, one study investigating the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) performed simultaneously with exercises (e.g., speech tasks, vocalization) found voice and speech benefits.</div>
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<div>Of note, NMES parameters (e.g., pulse width, stimulation frequency) and treatment protocols were not provided.</div>
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<div>While this study reported promising findings, no strong statements of efficacy could be made due to limited research, small sample sizes, and reduced methodological rigor.</div>
<div>For individuals with dysphonia, five articles investigating the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) found improved vocal and laryngeal symptoms. Four studies included participants with vocal fold nodules, while one study included patients with behavioral dysphonia. Specific findings included:</div>
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<ul>
<li>When combined with vocal exercise, TENS reduced muscle pain intensity via muscle relaxation. </li>
<li>Used with or without vocal exercise, TENS improved vocal quality, phonatory comfort, and glottal closure.</li>
</ul>
<div>Of note, neither electrode positioning nor treatment duration were standardized across studies. </div>
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<div>While these studies reported promising findings, no strong statements of efficacy could be made due to limited research, reduced methodological rigor, and heterogeneity between studies.</div>
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<div>For individuals with vocal fold paralysis, five studies investigating the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) performed simultaneously with exercises (e.g., speech tasks, vocalization) reported improvement in voice outcomes, including laryngeal performance (e.g., soft phonation index, vibratory irregularity of the vocal folds) compared to control groups. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Of note, details of NMES parameters (e.g., pulse width, stimulation frequency) and treatment protocols were not provided.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>While these studies reported promising findings, no strong statements of efficacy could be made due to limited research, reduced methodological rigor, and heterogeneity between studies.</div>
