Efficacy of Voice Therapy in the Treatment of Vocal Nodules in Western Regional Hospital, Pokhara

Abstract

Introduction: Vocal fold nodules present frequently in the ENT outpatient department. Treatment of vocal nodules involves a variety of voice therapies and micro laryngeal surgery. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of voice therapy
for patients with vocal fold nodules in eliminating or reducing the vocal nodules, rate improvement in voice quality after therapy and to evaluate how many sessions of therapy was required. The study wAs conducted in Western Regional Hospital, Pokhara, Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery.

Materials and Methods: A single institutional retrospective observational longitudinal study was conducted .Total 31 patients with diagnosis of vocal fold nodules who underwent voice therapy sessions from September 2007 to September 2008 were taken from the records for the study. Patient demographics and post therapy outcomes were analyzed using SPSS 21.Results: Mean age was 35.57+/-12.53 SD of mean. Majority were females (22) and Female: Male ratio was 2.4:1. The mean percentage of patients who
attended less than 6 sessions were 60%. Those who attended more than 6 sessions was 40% .Voice quality showed signs of improvement in 22 patients and no change in 3 patients. Out of those who attended, vocal fold nodules disappeared in 20
patients, persisted as grade 1 size in 2 patients and 3 patients didn’t show any signs of improvement.

Conclusion: Our results have shown promising role of conservative management by voice therapy for vocal nodules thus lessening the need for surgery