Work

Stratified Therapeutic Evaluation of Presbyphonia Based on Degree of Vocal Fold Atrophy: Efficacy and Prognostic Differences of Semi‐Occluded Vocal Tract Training Across Different Stages

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the stratified therapeutic effects of semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT) training based on the degree of vocal fold atrophy and to explore response trajectories. Methods: In this single-center prospective cohort study, 180 patients with presbyphonia were stratified into mild, moderate, and severe groups. All participants received standardized SOVT training and were followed for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was change in VHI-10. Secondary outcomes included GRBAS, maximum phonation time (MPT), cepstral peak prominence (CPP), acoustic perturbation parameters (jitter, shimmer, PPQ, APQ, and NHR), and glottal gap score. Linear mixed-effects models and latent class growth analysis (LCGA) were applied. Time effects referred to repeated measurements obtained at baseline, Week 4, and Week 8. Results: < 0.001), with the moderate group demonstrating the greatest improvement. Overall, 68.9% achieved the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) threshold. LCGA identified three response trajectories, with moderate cases more likely to show rapid or sustained improvement. Conclusions: SOVT training is effective for presbyphonia, with therapeutic response varying according to the severity of vocal fold atrophy. Both cepstral and perturbation-based acoustic analyses supported progressive improvement after intervention. Patients with moderate vocal fold atrophy appeared to derive the greatest therapeutic benefit, suggesting a potential optimal therapeutic window for intervention. Stratified assessment and trajectory-based analysis may facilitate individualized voice rehabilitation strategies.

Source: Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology

DOI: 10.1002/lio2.70597

Authors: Jieyu Lu, Wen Wu

Institution: Beijing Haidian Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Voice and Speech Disorders

Subfield: Speech and Hearing

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,900