A Narrative Review on Laryngeal Manual Therapy Methods in Muscle Tension Dysphonia: Manual Techniques, Target Structures, and Tension Criteria.

BACKGROUND

Laryngeal manual therapy (LMT) has been known as one of the main techniques for decreasing musculoskeletal tension in the (para) laryngeal muscles in dysphonic patients, especially patients with muscle tension dysphonia (MTD).

OBJECTIVE

A narrative review on the available LMT methods in MTD.

STUDY DESIGN

(Method).A review on the literature regarding to the LMT methods in MTD was conducted using electronic databases up to December 2022. To identify all eligible literature, hand searching was also utilized. Moreover, articles and books in which LMT methods were introduced or used for the first time, or had innovation and were complementary for previous LMT methods were included. Relevant sources were identified by two reviewers based on screened titles/abstracts and full texts.

RESULTS

The authors found five main common and some miscellaneous LMT methods that may not be used as conventional methods in clinical and research settings. There are some similarities and differences between the available LMT methods based on the manual techniques, target anatomical structures, and tension criteria. Although there is not enough information about details of some LMT methods, we additionally tried to provide some details about LMT treatment protocol.

CONCLUSION

The LMT is still at the beginning and it is necessary to revise the previous methods or develop new ones according to the similarities and differences have been found in this review. This paper will be useful for learning and teaching the LMT methods in MTD for clinicians and students who are interested in.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-024-04896-1.