• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.43-49
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• 2009

Vocal polyps are benign phonotraumatic lesions which are traditionally treated using phonomicrosurgical techniques. In the case of hyperfunctional voice use, voice therapy is effective and results in voice improvement. However, the utility of voice therapy about vocal polyp is in great demand. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of voice therapy in patients with vocal polyps. The authors reviewed the medical records of 193 patients with vocal nodules or vocal polyps, and 64 patients (31 nodules and 33 polyps) were enrolled. All of the subjects had received explanation of problems, vocal hygiene education, and been treated by the $SKMVTT^{(R)}$ (Seong-Tae Kim's multiple voice therapy technique) ranging from 4 to 16 sessions (mean: 8.6 sessions). All subjects were examined by perceptual assessment, acoustic and aerodynamic measures, and VRP (voice range profile). In perceptual assessment, patients with vocal nodules had more breathy and strained voices than the vocal polyp group. Both groups significantly reduced rough, breathy voice after voice therapy. Patients with vocal polyps had worse voice quality than patients with nodules in acoustic measures. Both groups showed reduced jitter and shimmer after voice therapy. In aerodynamic measures, MPT and Psub were increased, and MFR was reduced (p<.05). Participants' frequency range and intensity range were increased after voice therapy, but only frequency range resulted in a significant difference (p<.05). In conclusion, the therapeutic effect of voice therapy in patients with vocal nodules and polyps was demonstrated perceptually and acoustically. We can suggest that voice therapy, including advice, vocal hygiene, and $SKMVTT^{(R)}$ is a useful as an initial choice of treatment for patients with vocal polyps before considering a surgical approach.

• Speech Sciences
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.157-168
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• 2008

Vocal polyp is one of the representative chronic diseases of vocal folds, and it can be cured by voice therapy and/or laryngeal microsurgery. However, the existing therapeutic methods about vocal polyp are in great demand. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of vocal improvement between laryngeal microsurgery and $SKMVTT^{(R)}$ (Seong-Tae Kim's Multiple Voice Therapy Technique), which was designed by the author. We identified 37 patients, who were diagnosed with unilateral vocal polyp, aged from 21 to 62 years(mean age: 46 years). 21 patients were treated by the $SKMVTT^{(R)}$ and the other 16 patients were only treated by the laryngeal microsurgery. All patients who were treated by the $SKMVTT^{(R)}$, received 12 sessions of treatment, and were evaluated before therapy and after finishing the 12th session. The patients who were treated by laryngeal microsurgery, were evaluated prior to and at least 8 weeks after surgery. The results showed that the $SKMVTT^{(R)}$ produced better results compared to the laryngeal microsurgery alone. The $SKMVTT^{(R)}$ produced better results, especially, at the initial stage of voice therapy compared with those of laryngeal microsurgery. In this study, we can suggest that $SKMVTT^{(R)}$ may be useful in improving the voice qualities of vocal polyp patients. However, more data should be collected and evaluated to be widely used in other clinics.

• Speech Sciences
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.101-120
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• 2004

Vocal nodule is one of the representative chronic diseases of vocal folds, and it can be cured by voice therapy. However, the existing therapeutic methods about vocal nodule are in great demand. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of therapeutic methods between Accent method and SK-MVTT (Seong-Tae Kim's multiple voice therapy technique), which was designed by the author. We identified 40 females, who diagnosed having vocal nodules, aged from 21 to 52 years (mean age: 40 years). Twenty females were treated by the SK-MVTT and the other 20 females the Accent method. All subjects received 12 sessions of treatment, and were evaluated after finishing the 6th and the 12th session. The results showed that the SK-MVTT produced a better results compared to the Accent method. The SK-MVTT was better especially at the initial stage of voice therapy compared to the Accent method. In this study, we can suggest that SK-MVTT may be useful in improving the voice qualities of vocal nodule patients. However, more data should be collected and evaluated before it can widely be used in other clinics.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.155-161
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a multiple voice therapy technique ($SKMVTT^{(R)}$) using laughter for the treatment of various benign vocal fold lesions. To achieve this, 23 female patients diagnosed with vocal nodules, vocal polyp, and muscle tension dysphonia through videostroboscopy were enrolled in vocal hygiene and $SKMVTT^{(R)}$. All of the patients were treated once a week for 4 to 12 sessions. The GRBAS scale was used to confirm the changes in voice quality before and after the treatment. Acoustic analysis was performed to evaluate jitter, shimmer, NHR, fundamental frequency variation, amplitude variation, PFR, and dB range. Videostroboscopy was performed to confirm the changes in the laryngeal features before and after the treatment. After the $SKMVTT^{(R)}$, the results of the perceptual evaluation demonstrated that the G, R, and B scales significantly improved. An acoustic evaluation also demonstrated that jitter, shimmer, NHR, vAm, vFo, PFR, and dB range also significantly improved after the $SKMVTT^{(R)}$. In comparison to the videostroboscopic findings, the size of the vocal nodules and vocal polyp decreased or disappeared after the treatment. In addition, the size of the cuneiform tubercles decreased, the length of the aryepiglottic folds became longer, and the laryngeal findings of the supraglottic compressions improved after the $SKMVTT^{(R)}$. These results suggest that the $SKMVTT^{(R)}$ is effective in improving the vocal quality of patients with benign vocal fold lesions. In conclusion, it seems that laughter and inspiratory phonation suppressed abnormal laryngeal elevation and lowered laryngeal height, which seems to have the effect of improving hyperfunctional phonation.