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Supraglottic activity: evidence of vocal hyperfunction or laryngeal articulation?
S V Stager1, S A Bielamowicz, J R Regnell
1Voice Treatment Center, The George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA. sursvs@gwumc.edu
Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research : JSLHR
|February 11, 2000
Summary
Supraglottic activity, including false vocal fold (FVF) and anterior-posterior (A-P) compression, is more common in hyperfunctional voice disorders. This study found FVF compression varies dynamically with speech tasks, suggesting it
Area of Science:
- Laryngology
- Speech and Hearing Science
- Voice Disorders
Background:
- Hyperfunctional voice disorders are often characterized by increased muscle tension, leading to false vocal fold (FVF) adduction and anterior-posterior (A-P) compression.
- The relationship between supraglottic activity and voice disorders like vocal fold nodules requires further investigation.
- Understanding the static and dynamic nature of supraglottic activity is crucial for diagnosing and treating voice pathologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the incidence of static and dynamic supraglottic activity in individuals with normal voices, vocal fold nodules, and hyperfunctional voice disorders.
- To evaluate the association between hyperfunctional voice disorders and specific patterns of supraglottic activity during speech tasks.
Main Methods:
- Flexible videoendoscopy was used to record laryngeal movements during various speech tasks (sustained phonation, syllable repetition, sentence imitation, conversation).
- Thirty-two subjects were divided into three groups: control (n=10), vocal fold nodules (n=12), and hyperfunctional voice (n=10).
- Recorded samples were analyzed for the presence and consistency of FVF and A-P compression.
Main Results:
- Higher incidences of both FVF and A-P compression were observed in the hyperfunctional group, followed by the nodule group, and then the control group.
- FVF compression showed significant task-specific variations, particularly with glottal stops, indicating a dynamic component.
- A-P compression was generally consistent (static), while FVF compression was inconsistent (dynamic) across all groups.
Conclusions:
- Supraglottic activity, especially FVF compression, is significantly associated with hyperfunctional voice disorders and exhibits dynamic characteristics.
- The findings do not support the hypothesis that supraglottic activity is a precursor to vocal fold nodules.
- FVF compression during speech tasks involving glottal stops may serve an articulatory function, even in healthy individuals.
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