Authors: van Gogh CDL, Verdonck-de Leeuw IM, Langendijk JA, Kuik DJ, Mahieu HF
Title: Long-Term Efficacy of Voice Therapy in Patients With Voice Problems After Treatment of Early Glottic Cancer
Source: Journal Of Voice 2012 26(3): 398-401
Year: 2012
Research Design: Non Randomised Controlled Trial
Rating Score: 00/10
This rating is confirmed
Eligibility specified - Y
Random allocation - N
Concealed allocation - N
Baseline comparability - N
Blind subjects - N
Blind therapists - N
Blind assessors - N
Adequate follow-up - N
Intention-to-treat analysis - N
Between-group comparisons - N
Point estimates and variability - N
Abstract:

Objective: The purpose of the present pilot study is to investigate whether the beneficial short-term effects of voice therapy in patients with voice problems after treatment of early glottic cancer as reported in our earlier study remain present on the long term. Study Design: In this prospective study, 12 patients, selected based on a screening questionnaire about voice problems and randomly assigned for treatment with voice therapy (vs no treatment), were evaluated with a mean of 13 months after finishing voice therapy to evaluate the long-term voice effects. Methods: Voice assessment consisted of the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) and acoustic analyses (percent jitter, percent shimmer, and noise-to-harmonics ratio). Results: Statistical analysis showed that the beneficial short-term effect on the mean VHI, percent jitter, and shimmer remained stable after more than a year of follow-up. Conclusions: The present study provides initial evidence that the beneficial effect of voice therapy is not just a short-lived voice improvement but may result in a better voice for a period of at least 1 year. Future long-term randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm our findings.

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