The use of speech therapy in the treatment of globus pharyngeus patients. A randomised controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Globus sensation is a common condition accounting for about 4% of new referrals to an ENT clinic. A review of current theories on the cause of globus sensation concludes that no single aetiology is responsible. Wareing et al believed that globus sensation might in part be associated with excessive laryngeal and pharyngeal tension. The aim of this study was to substantiate in a controlled prospective manner the results of a non-controlled study by the same authors that certain speech therapy techniques improved globus symptoms.


METHODS
1. 36 patients with typical globus pharyngeus symptoms were randomised to treatment with speech therapy (Study group) and reassurance by nurse practitioner (Control group). The following data was collated for each patient: duration and type of globus symptoms (sense of a lump in the throat/throat irritation), severity of globus symptoms on a visual analogue scale, fibreoptic laryngoscopy, full blood count, barium swallow. 2. At the end of 3 months, patients in both groups marked on the visual analogue scale the severity of their symptoms.


RESULTS
There was a significant improvement in the globus symptom scores in the speech therapy group compared to pre-intervention scores (p < 0.001, Wilcoxon rank test). There was also a significant improvement in globus symptoms in the speech therapy group compared to controls (p < 0.001, Mann-Whitney U test).


CONCLUSIONS
Initial results suggest that patients with globus pharyngeus symptoms benefit from speech therapy.
Khalil
H S
HS
Departments of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, United Kingdom. hkhalil@breathemail.net
Bridger
M W
MW
Hilton-Pierce
M
M
Vincent
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000628:therapy*; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013070:Speech Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome