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The efficiency of the DoctorVox voice therapy technique in conversion dysphonia and aphonia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 June 2023

Engin Başer*
Affiliation:
Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Department, ENTU Clinic, Balıkesir, Turkey
İsmail İlter Denizoğlu
Affiliation:
Vocology Center, İzmir, Turkey
*
Corresponding author: Engin Başer; Email: dr.enginbaser@hotmail.com

Abstract

Objective

The main purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the efficiency of DoctorVox voice therapy in psychogenic dysphonia or aphonia patients, and to share the mid- to long-term results of the method.

Methods

The study was carried out on patients who underwent DoctorVox voice therapy for psychogenic dysphonia or aphonia between January 2015 and September 2019. The evaluation methods used were: the Voice Handicap Index-10; the grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia and strain (‘GRBAS’) scale; and videolaryngostroboscopy recordings.

Results

The mean Voice Handicap Index-10 values of the patients were 30.91 ± 2.97 before treatment, 8.14 ± 3.82 after treatment, and 3.36 ± 1.78 in the final follow-up examination. The grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia and strain scale scores were: 9 ± 0.67 pre-treatment, 0.78 ± 0.80 post-treatment, and 0.57 ± 0.64 at the final follow up.

Conclusion

DoctorVox voice therapy seems to be an efficient treatment method for psychogenic dysphonia or aphonia; it helps develop phonatory muscle functions, using multidimensional biofeedback mechanisms, and increases the patients’ therapy adherence.

Type
Main Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED

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Footnotes

Engin Başer takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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