Changes in Nodal Lesions and Vocal Function after Voice Therapy for Vocal Nodules

Abstract

Voice therapy is used as a treatment for vocal nodules, offering vocal hygiene and voice training to correct inappropriate voice production. The purposes of the present study were to assess vocal function after voice therapy for vocal nodules and to examine the association between the changes in nodal lesions and vocal function.
The participants were 28 patients diagnosed with vocal cord nodules: 2 males and 26 females with a mean age of 39 years. Laryngeal endoscopic evaluation of changes in nodal lesions, aerodynamic analysis (MPT, MFR), voice pitch assessment (F₀, lowest/highest pitch, vocal range), acoustic analysis (PPQ, APQ, NHR), GRBAS scale (G, R, B) and VHI-10 were conducted. The results showed that nodal lesions disappeared in 12 of the 28 cases (43%). In addition, F₀, highest pitch, vocal range, PPQ, APQ, NHR, G, R, B and VHI-10 significantly improved after voice therapy.
Factors associated with changes in nodal lesions included the duration of disease and the highest pitch before voice therapy.