Psychophysiologic treatment of vocal cord dysfunction.
BACKGROUND
Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is an obstructive upper airway syndrome that frequently mimics asthma and for which there is no empirical treatment of choice.


OBJECTIVE
To describe two military service members experiencing VCD who were treated with psychophysiologic self-regulation training.


METHODS
Both cases were active-duty military members with VCD confirmed by laryngoscopy They each received biofeedback self-regulation training to decrease tension in the extrinsic laryngeal musculature.


RESULTS
Both patients responded to the treatment, denied the presence of dsypnea, and had resumed military physical training.


CONCLUSIONS
Psychophysiologic self-regulation strategies both with and without concurrent speech therapy positively impacted VCD symptoms.
Earles
Jay
J
Department of Psychology, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii 96859, USA. jay.earles@haw.tamc.amedd.army.mil
Kerr
Burton
B
Kellar
Michael
M
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D013577:Syndrome; D014481:United States; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*