[Results of voice therapy in functional voice disorders].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of voice therapy techniques in 37 patients with functional dysphonia.


METHODS
The patients were divided into three groups according to the type of functional voice disorder, including mutational falsetto (n=16), vocal nodule (n=17), and muscle-tension dysphonia (n=4). All the patients received voice therapy which varied according to the frequency of visits, time, and techniques for the type of functional voice disorder. Voices of the patients were evaluated subjectively by a questionnaire and the GRBAS scale, and objectively by videolaryngostroboscopy and computed voice analysis before and after the therapy.


RESULTS
Fifteen patients with mutational falsetto (93%), eight patients with vocal nodules (47%), and all the patients with muscle-tension dysphonia were cured by voice therapy techniques. Vocal nodules were reduced in 35% of the patients and were stable in three patients (18%).


CONCLUSIONS
Successful results can be obtained by voice therapy techniques in functional voice disorders, which are common in otolaryngology practice, causing difficulties in diagnosis and management.
Birkent
Hakan
H
Department of Otolaryngology, Ankara Military Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. hbirkent@hotmail.com
Akçam
Timur
T
Gerek
Mustafa
M
Ertaş
Iclal
I
Ozkaptan
Yalçin
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013070:Speech Therapy / Q000379:methods; D049489:Stroboscopy / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014834:Voice Training