Subjective voice analysis in patients with muscular tension dysphonia: comparison between clinician and patient evaluation.

BACKGROUND

This study evaluated the correlation between patient and clinician subjective voice analysis in a group of patients suffering from muscular tension dysphonia. This disease does not usually present with organic lesions, and voice analysis is crucial to evaluate it.

METHODS

A retrospective study with 75 patients was performed. Correlation between grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia and strain scale and voice handicap index-10 was analysed. Any possible influence of the type of muscular tension dysphonia on these two scales was studied.

RESULTS

There are only a few studies that correlate voice handicap index-10 and the grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia and strain scale; however, none of them are specific for patients suffering from muscular tension dysphonia. A moderate correlation (r = 0.56) was found. No influence of muscular tension dysphonia type on voice handicap index-10 score was found, but muscular tension dysphonia type 4 had worse grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia and strain scale scores than other muscular tension dysphonia types. This could be explained if muscular tension dysphonia type 4 is considered to be the most severe form of this disease.

CONCLUSION

The use of assessment scales based on the opinion of both the clinician and patient must be considered as complementary clinical tools in order to perform a complete assessment of dysphonia.