Systematic Review of the Treatment of Functional Dysphonia and Prevention of Voice Disorders
Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery
Ruotsalainen, J., Sellman, J., et al. (2008).
Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, 138, 557-565.
This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates the effects of direct, indirect, and combination voice therapy for prevention or treatment of voice disorders on self-reported measures of voice handicap, voice symptoms, and/or voice-related quality of life in adults, 16 years or older, with dysphonia or at risk of developing a voice disorder.
Finnish Ministry for Social Affairs and Health; Dutch Pension Fund Loyalis (Netherlands)
<div>Findings from three studies suggest that a combination of direct and indirect voice therapy is effective in improving self-reported (SMD= -1.07), observer-rated (WMD= -13.00), and instrumentally measured (WMD= -1.20) vocal functioning for individuals with functional dysphonia when compared to no intervention. Similar results were noted for both teachers and student teachers. Additional findings include:</div>
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<li>There were mixed effects on voice quality. </li>
<li>Evidence from two studies further suggests that the effects of voice therapy remain significant at medium and long-term follow-up.</li>
<li>Limited evidence from one study demonstrated no significant change in outcomes when participants were provided with biofeedback via transnasal flexible laryngoscopy, however, gains were achieved more quickly in the group receiving biofeedback.</li>
<li>Two studies reported no significant effects of preventative voice training (i.e., treatment delivered in adults without vocal diagnoses) on Vocal Handicap Index scores.</li>
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