Speech language pathologists may play a significant role in the evaluation and recommendation of voice treatment for individuals that have spasmodic dysphonia. The NSDA states that, "Speech therapy is generally seen as a possibly helpful adjunct to other therapies such as botulinum toxin (BTX) injection and to help SD patients who have excess voice strain to "unload" some muscle tension (2014)." It has been found that speech language pathology services alone are most beneficial to patients that exhibit a mild spasmodic dysphonia. A SLP can use techniques such relaxation, breath control, maintaining steady airflow during vocal production, and pitch and loudness modifications to help improve a patient's voice. SLPs usually engage in these techniques before and/or after vocal surgery to maintain proper vocal use. Recent studies have shown that cutting of the recurrent laryngeal nerve to paralyze one vocal cord appeared to reduce the force of vocal cord closure. There was a return of voice symptoms within 6 months to 3 years of surgery in almost two thirds of these patients. Many patients were worse than before. Speech-language pathology treatment was often recommended after surgery.
Sources:
ASHA. (n.d.). Spasmodic dysphonia. Retrieved from http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/spasmodicdysphonia/
PDResources. (n.d.). PDResources. Retrieved May 5, 2014, from http://www.pdresources.org/blog_data/north-dakota-speech-language- pathologists-continuing-education-and-license-renewal/
Spasmodic dysphonia . (1997-2014). Retrieved , from http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/spasmodicdysphonia/
Speech Therapy . (2014). Retrieved , from https://www.dysphonia.org/speech-therapy.php
Nall, R. (2013). Breathing exercises for spasmodic dysphonia. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/343407-breathing-exercises-for-spasmodic-dysphonia/.
ASHA. (n.d.). Spasmodic dysphonia. Retrieved from http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/spasmodicdysphonia/
PDResources. (n.d.). PDResources. Retrieved May 5, 2014, from http://www.pdresources.org/blog_data/north-dakota-speech-language- pathologists-continuing-education-and-license-renewal/
Spasmodic dysphonia . (1997-2014). Retrieved , from http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/spasmodicdysphonia/
Speech Therapy . (2014). Retrieved , from https://www.dysphonia.org/speech-therapy.php
Nall, R. (2013). Breathing exercises for spasmodic dysphonia. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/343407-breathing-exercises-for-spasmodic-dysphonia/.