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Retrospective study of 116 patients with non-organic voice disorders: efficacy of mental imagery and laryngeal shaking

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2008

M S Voerman ,
A P M Langeveld  and
M A van Rossum
M S Voerman
Affiliation:
Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, The Netherlands
A P M Langeveld
Affiliation:
Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, The Netherlands
M A van Rossum*
Affiliation:
Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, The Netherlands
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Maya van Rossum, Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands. Fax: +31 71 5266910 E-mail: M.A.van_Rossum@LUMC.nl
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Abstract

Objective:

To report the short- and long-term results of two techniques (mental imagery and manual shaking of the larynx) in patients with non-organic dysphonia or aphonia.

Design:

Retrospective review of patient records, plus follow-up survey (questionnaire).

Setting:

Academic teaching hospital.

Patients:

One hundred and sixteen patients with moderate to severe non-organic dysphonia or aphonia.

Outcome:

Cure (i.e. normal voice) and improved voice quality, judged by clinicians and patients.

Results:

One hundred (86 per cent) of the 116 patients were cured. Ninety-four (81 per cent) patients regained their normal voice within one therapy session. The follow-up survey revealed that 43 of the 87 (49 per cent) patients who responded had not had a relapse since therapy ended. Of those patients suffering relapse, 15 successfully applied mental imagery in order to retrieve their voice, compared with three patients who applied shaking of the larynx.

Conclusion:

Mental imagery, combined if necessary with manual therapy, is an effective therapeutic technique in patients with non-organic voice disorders.

Keywords

Non-OrganicDysphoniaAphoniaMental Imagery

Information

Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 123 , Issue 5 , May 2009 , pp. 528 - 534
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2008

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