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Acoustic analysis of voice in Huntington's disease patients
María Jesús Velasco García1, Ignacio Cobeta, Gonzalo Martín
1Service of Otolaryngology (ENT), N(a) S(a) de Sonsoles Hospital, Avila, Spain. mjesus.velascogarcia@gmail.com
Background/Objectives:
Alterations of voice and speech are frequently observed in Huntington's disease (HD). The aim of this study was to assess the degree of voice and speech abnormalities in a group of patients with HD and to analyze possible correlations with degree of disease severity.
Patients/Methods:
An observational study was carried out on diagnosed cases and controls. The voices of 20 patients were analyzed and compared with an age- and sex-matched control group. Variables analyzed included subjective voice exploration, analysis of aerodynamic efficiency, acoustic analysis measures, and laryngeal examination descriptions. Results obtained were correlated with degree of disease severity.
Results:
Changes in the Voice Handicap Index and clinical characteristics of the voice were observed. Maximum phonation time was reduced. Acoustic analysis revealed changes that were analyzed. Uncontrolled adduction-abduction movements were observed by laryngeal examination. All results showed a positive correlation with degree of disease severity assessed by the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale.
Conclusions:
HD causes alterations in subjective voice features, aerodynamic and acoustic analysis measures that are correlated with disease severity.
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