Voice bubbling therapy for vocal cord dysfunction in difficult-to-treat asthma - a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Respiratory Medicine
• Pulmonology
• Speech-Language Pathology

Background:

• Dysfunctional breathing patterns frequently coexist with asthma, complicating its management, particularly in difficult-to-treat cases.
• Voice bubbling therapy (VBT), administered by speech therapists, is a potential intervention to modify breathing patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of voice bubbling therapy (VBT) on patients with difficult-to-treat asthma and dysfunctional breathing patterns.
• To assess VBT's impact on asthma control, quality of life, and respiratory parameters.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving 24 patients randomized to either VBT or usual care (UC).
• VBT involved blowing into a resonance tube submerged in water.
• Measurements included lung function, capillary blood gas, and validated questionnaires at baseline, 6, and 18 weeks.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in asthma control (ACQ) or quality of life (AQLQ) were observed between VBT and UC groups.
• A significant increase in pCO2 levels was noted at 6 weeks in the VBT group (p=0.01).
• A significant correlation was found between changes in pCO2 and changes in AQLQ scores from baseline to 18 weeks (rs = 0.78, p=0.02).

Conclusions:

• Voice bubbling therapy (VBT) led to increased pCO2 levels, suggesting a potential improvement in hyperventilation in difficult-to-treat asthma.
• Despite physiological changes, VBT did not enhance asthma control or quality of life in this study.
• VBT may offer benefits for managing asthma-related symptoms and warrants further investigation.