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Updated: Jul 8, 2026
10:16
Synthetic, Multi-Layer, Self-Oscillating Vocal Fold Model Fabrication
Published on: December 2, 2011
Formal psychological testing in patients with paradoxical vocal fold dysfunction
Omar F Husein1, Tiffany N Husein, Ricky Gardner
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA. tiffhusein@yahoo.com
The Laryngoscope
|January 10, 2008
Summary
Paradoxical Vocal Fold Dysfunction (PVFD) is often linked to conversion disorder, a psychological condition manifesting physically. Some PVFD cases show no psychopathology, indicating varied etiologies.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Otolaryngology
- Speech-Language Pathology
Background:
- Paradoxical Vocal Fold Dysfunction (PVFD) etiology remains unclear, with a suspected psychological component.
- Previous hypotheses suggest a significant psychological influence on PVFD development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the psychological profiles of newly diagnosed Paradoxical Vocal Fold Dysfunction (PVFD) patients.
- Utilize psychometrically validated instruments for psychological assessment in PVFD.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study involving 45 adults newly diagnosed with PVFD.
- Administered Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) for psychopathology and Life Experiences Survey (LES) for stress levels.
- Compared PVFD patient scores to normative population data.
Main Results:
- PVFD patients exhibited elevated MMPI-2 scores consistent with conversion disorder, particularly on hypochondriasis and hysteria scales.
- A subset of PVFD patients showed no psychopathology; others had elevated scores without a classic conversion profile.
- Comorbidities like asthma, GERD, and a history of abuse were common in the PVFD cohort.
- Female PVFD patients reported higher negative stress and lower positive stress compared to the general population.
Conclusions:
- PVFD is frequently associated with conversion disorder, a physical manifestation of psychological distress.
- A portion of PVFD cases may not involve underlying psychopathology.
- Psychotherapy for somatoform and conversion disorders could enhance traditional speech therapy for PVFD.
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