Aerodynamic Profiles of Women With Muscle Tension Dysphonia/Aphonia

Abstract

Purpose In this study, the authors aimed to (a) determine whether phonatory airflows and estimated subglottal pressures (est-P sub ) for women with primary muscle tension dysphonia/aphonia (MTD/A) differ from those for healthy speakers; (b) identify different aerodynamic profile patterns within the MTD/A subject group; and (c) determine whether results suggest new understanding of pathogenesis in MTD/A. Method Retrospective review of aerodynamic data collected from 90 women at the time of primary MTD/A diagnosis. Results Aerodynamic profiles were significantly different for women with MTD/A as compared with healthy speakers. Five distinct profiles were identified: (a) normal flow, normal est-P sub ; (b) high flow, high est-P sub ; (c) low flow, normal est-P sub ; (d) normal flow, high est-P sub ; and (e) high flow, normal est-P sub . Conclusions This study is the first to identify distinct subgroups of aerodynamic profiles in women with MTD/A and to quantitatively identify a clinical phenomenon sometimes described in association with it—“breath holding”—that is shown by low airflow with normal est-P sub . Results were consistent with clinical claims that diverse respiratory and laryngeal functions may underlie phonatory patterns associated with MTD/A. One potential mechanism, based in psychobiological theory, is introduced to explain some of the variability in aerodynamic profiles of women with MTD/A.