Acoustical Voice Measurements did Change after Treatment in Patients with Laryngo-Pharyngeal Reflux: A Prospective Randomized Study Including MDVP (Laryngograph Ltd.)

A randomized prospective controlled study was made in order to find out if voice related acoustical measures show usable predictive pathologies in patients with laryngo-pharyngeal reflux (LPR). The used acoustical program was an advanced MDVP (multi-dimensional voice program) by Laryngograph Ltd. which routinely adjusts to well defined sustained tones measures as well as reading of a standard text and electroglottography. Three treatment groups for LPR were: Life style changes (avoid acid provoking food), and combined with proton pump inhibitors, and the third group also combined with alginate. There was no acoustical difference between the groups; they were therefore added to each other. A comparison between the first and second consultation after two weeks as well as follow up after three months did show significant jitter reduction of the measures of MDVP, and in reading of a standard text the frequency and intensity variations were also reduced. No change was found of electroglottography. The acoustical findings were not related to the oedema of the arytenoid region. The acoustical measures should be refined in the future with online measures on high speed films.