Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in women with muscle tension dysphonia

Abstract

Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) is a hyperfunctional alteration of phonation; it may be associated to benign injuries in the larynx, such as nodules and mucus thickness, more common in women. Recommended treatment uses techniques of cervical and laryngeal relaxation for restoring equilibrium to the intrinsic muscles of the larynx, in association with stimulation of mucosal wave of vocal folds, for lesion regression, when present. On the other hand, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) it is used for control or relief of pain, improvement of vascularization in the region of the application, and muscular relaxation. TENS is considered a supporting resource in MTD. Objective: To evaluate the effect of the application of TENS in voice, larynx and quality of life regarding voice in women with MTD. Method: Subjects will be 30 dysphonic women with vocal bilateral nodules or bilateral mucous thickness. Subjects are divided in two groups: Experimental Group (EG) - 15 individuals who will receive 12 sessions of TENS (200 µs and 10 Hz) for 30 minutes and manual circumlaryngeal therapy for 20 minutes, with two weekly sessions; Control Group (CG) - 15 individuals who will be submitted to manual circumlaryngeal therapy during the same time spam, number of sessions and conditions of subjects in EG. Voice will be evaluated by means of an interview, a questionnaire on quality of life and voice, and an auditory-perceptual and acoustic analysis; and the larynx using laryngoscopy. All evaluation will take place before and after 15 days after the realization of procedures in both groups. Data will be analyzed statistically using parametric tests. (AU)