Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Vocal fold nodules (VFNs) are among the most common causes of dysphonia. Phono-laryngeal microsurgery, pharmacological treatments, and voice therapy (VT) have been used for treating VFNs. VT has been advocated as the primary treatment of choice. This study investigated the efficacy of the DoctorVox Voice therapy technique (DVT) for treating VFNs. METHODS: A total of 38 patients with VFNs and 40 individuals without any voice problem (control group) were included. All patients received the DVT program. Otorhinolaryngology examination, videolaryngostroboscopy (VLS), and acoustic analysis (SPL, mean F0, jitter %, shimmer %, NHR) were performed at pretreatment, one and six months after the end of treatment. The voice handicap index-10 (VHI-10) and the GRB scales were used for perceptual voice evaluation. GRB and VLS scorings were done blindly. RESULTS: Compared with the pretreatment values, the first- and the sixth-month values after treatment demonstrated a significant decrease in VHI-10 (19.5 vs. 5.1), GRB (2.3 vs 0.68 for G value) and VLS scores, SPL (54.4 vs 66.1 dB), F0 (201 vs. 227 Hz), jitter % (1.46 vs 0.85), shimmer % (3.27 vs 2.51), NHR (1.15 vs. 0.46) values among patients. Most of the voice parameters in the sixth month after the DVT program did not differ significantly from those of the control group. CONCLUSION: The DVT was found to be an effective method in VFN treatment.