The short-term impact of Botox injections on speech disability in adductor spasmodic dysphonia

This study investigates the impact of Botox injections on speech disability in a group of patients with adductor spasmodic dysphonia. Patient-perceived disability was assessed on the Speech Disability Questionnaire. A factor analysis on speech disability yielded five factors. Four of these, social isolation (p < 0.001), negative communication (p < 0.005), public avoidance (p < 0.05) and limited understanding (p < 0.01), showed significant change from prior to and one week post injection. Speech and language therapists' assessment also showed changes in voice quality over the same period. These findings are discussed in terms of the relationship between voice quality, disability and handicap, in adductor spasmodic dysphonia.