Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in dysphonic women.
BACKGROUND
studies indicate correlation between dysphonia and muscle tension.


OBJECTIVE
to evaluate bilaterally the electrical activity of the suprahyoid muscles (SH), sternocleidomastoid (SCM), and trapezius (T), the presence of pain and the voice, after applying transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).


METHODS
ten (10) women with nodules or bilateral mucus thickening, and phonation fissure. Volunteers were submitted to 10 TENS sessions (200 micros and 10 Hz) for 30 minutes. Pain was evaluated using an analogical visual scale; the voice was evaluated through laryngoscopy and through a perceptive-auditory and acoustic analysis; and the myoelectric signal was converted using the Root Media Square (RMS). Voice and EMG data gathering was performed during the production of the E/vowel and during spontaneous speech (SS).


METHODS
Shapiro-Wilk Test followed by the Wilcoxon Test, or t Student, or Friedman Test (p < 0.05).


RESULTS
It was observed that the TENS decreased the RMS readings, pre and pos treatment, for the Right T (RT) (2.80 +/- 1.36 to 1.77 +/- 0.93), the Left T (LT) (3.62 +/- 2.10 to 2.10 +/- 1.06), the Left SCM (LSCM) (2.64 +/- 0.69 to 1.94 +/- 0.95), and the SH (11.59 +/- 7.72 to 7.82 +/- 5.95) during the production of the E/vowel; and for the RT (3.56 +/- 2.77 to 1.93 +/- 1.13), the LT (4.68 +/- 2.56 to 3.09 +/- 2.31), the Right SCM (RSCM) (3.94 +/- 2.04 to 2.51 +/- 1.87), and the LSCM (3.54 +/- 1.04 to 3.12 +/- 3.00) during SS. A relieve in pain was also observed. Regarding the voice analysis, there was a decrease in level of laryngeal injuries; no difference was observed during the production of the E/vowel in the perceptive-auditory analysis; there was a decrease in the level of dysphonia and hoarseness during SS.


CONCLUSIONS
TENS is effective in improving the clinical and functional signs of dysphonic women.
Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brasil. rjguirro@fmrp.usp.br
Rinaldo Roberto de Jesus
RR
Guirro
Delaine Rodrigues
DR
Bigaton
Kelly Cristina Alves
KC
Silvério
Kelly Cristina dos Santos
KC
Berni
Giovanna
G
Distéfano
Fernanda Lopes dos
FL
Santos
Fabiana
F
Forti
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000698:Analgesia; D055154:Dysphonia / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007821:Laryngeal Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000502:physiology; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects; D014833:Voice Quality / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult