Comparison of Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and Laryngeal Manual Therapy 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 immediate effect of the application of TENS and Laryngeal Manual Therapy in voice, pain and symptoms of larynx regarding voice in women with MTD. Method: Subjects will be 30 dysphonic women with functional or organofunctional dysphonia. Subjects are divided in two groups: Group 1 (G1) - 15 individuals who will receive 1 session of TENS (200 µs and 10 Hz) for 20 minutes; Group 2 (G2) 15 individuals who will receive 1 session of Laryngeal Manual Therapy for 20 minutes. Voice and pain will be evaluated by means of an interview, and an auditory-perceptual and acoustic analysis. All evaluation will take place before and immediately after the realization of procedures in both groups. Data will be analyzed statistically using parametric tests.