title: A systematic review of psychological interventions for adult and pediatric patients with vocal cord dysfunction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) or paradoxical vocal-fold motion (PVFM) is a functional disorder of the vocal cords that requires multidisciplinary treatment. Besides relaxation techniques, the use of psychological interventions can help treat the underlying psychological co-morbidities. There is currently no literature that examines the effectiveness of psychological interventions for VCD/PVFM.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review the evidence for psychological interventions used for the treatment of patients with VCD/PVFM.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched electronic databases for English medical literature using Pubmed (Medline), PsycInfo, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials, and Clinicaltrials.gov. The date range for our search is from June 1964 to June 2014.
  
  
  METHODS
  We included studies that reported the use of psychological interventions in both adults and children diagnosed with VCD/PVFM. We included randomized controlled trials, case-control studies, retrospective chart reviews, prospective case series, and individual case reports.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most reported studies are small case series or individual case reports that have described the use of interventions such as psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, use of anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications, and hypnotherapy in conjunction with breathing exercises taught by speech therapists for symptomatic relief. Among the various psychological interventions that have been reported, there is no data regarding effectiveness and/or superiority of one approach over another in either adult or pediatric patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Psychological interventions have a role to play in the management of adult and pediatric patients with VCD/PVFM. Future prospective studies using uniform approaches for treatment of associated psychopathology may help address this question.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Disorders, Wayne State University , Detroit, MI , USA.
authors.forename: Loveleen
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guglani
authors.affiliation: Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit, MI , USA.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Atkinson
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University of Michigan Medical School , Ann Arbor, MI , USA.
authors.forename: Avinash
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hosanagar
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary Medicine, The Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Michigan , Detroit, MI , USA.
authors.forename: Lokesh
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guglani
keywords: anxiety; functional disorders; paradoxical vocal-fold motion; psychology; somatoform disorders; speech therapy; vocal cord dysfunction; vocal cords