PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF THERAPUETIC EFFECTS OF VOICE THERAPY IN BENIGN VOCAL CORD LESIONS

Objective: To analyse the treatment outcomes of patients undergoing voice therapy in terms of maximum phonatory duration (MPD),Voice Handicap Index-10(VHI-10), indirect laryngoscopy.

Methods: 44 patients who had benign lesions of vocal cord, who underwent voice therapy were studied. Detailed proforma was filled. Pre-treatment VHI-10, MPD and VLS were noted. Post treatment VHI-10, MPD and indirect laryngoscopy (I/L) findings were noted at 1 month and 3months.

Results: 44 patients were studied. Majority 36 (81%) were females and 8 (18%) were males. 15(34%) of patients werein the age group 31-40 years. The mean pre-treatment baseline VHI-10 was 21.10 which was reduced to 10.77 at the end of 1 month and to 8.23 at the end of 3 months. The mean  pre-treatment MPD was 8.5 which was increased to 11 after 1 month and 11.72 after 3 months. 27(61.36%) had excellent prognosis, 9 (20.45%) had better prognosis and 8(18.18%) had worse or same (group III)  prognosis at the end of 3 months. In our study 40 (91 %) were extroverts, 39(88.6%) had voice abuse, 32 (72 %) patient had acid reflux symptoms, 17 (38%) patients gave history of allergic symptoms

Conclusion: Extrovert personality and voice abuse are the most common risk factors for benign lesions of vocal cord.There is significant reduction in the VHI-10 scores and improvement in the MPD after voice therapy.