"Lombard Effect" and Voice Changes in Adductor Laryngeal Dystonia: A Pilot Study.

Objectives: The aim was to describe the acoustic, auditory-perceptive, and subjective voice changes under the Lombard effect (LE) in adductor laryngeal dystonia (AdLD) patients.

Methods: Subjective perception of vocal effort (OMNI Vocal Effort Scale OMNI-VES), Maximum Phonation Time (MPT), and the perceptual severity of dysphonia (GRBAS scale) were assessed in condition of stillness and under LE in 10 AdLD patients and in 10 patients with typical voice. Speakers were asked to produce the sustained vowel /a/ and to read a phonetically balanced text aloud.

Automatic speaking valve in tracheo-esophageal speech: treatment proposal for a widespread usage.

Purpose: Aim of this study was to calculate the percentage of the Automatic Speaking Valve (ASV) use in a large cohort of laryngectomized patients with voice prosthesis (VP) and to analyze the main reasons for non-use. Subsequently, a specific rehabilitation training was proposed.

Methods: One hundred-ten laryngectomized patients with VP were enrolled in the first phase of the study (census).

Rehabilitation After Total Laryngectomy: An Integrated Protocol Remotely Delivered During COVID-19.

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the results of an integrated treatment delivered remotely to laryngectomized patients with voice prosthesis. Eighteen laryngectomized patients were treated remotely in groups co-led by a speech therapist and a psychologist ("Online Group"). The results were compared with those of 17 patients ("In-Person Group") previously studied.

Combined treatment of muscle tension dysphonia: voice therapy with instrumental postural rehabilitation.

Objectives: This investigation aimed to propose a new rehabilitation technique that combines voice exercises and instrumental postural rehabilitation for patients with muscle tension dysphonia (MTD).

Methods: We enrolled nine dysphonic patients (8 women and 1 man, aged 22-55 years). Voice assessment included strobovideolaryngoscopy, Maximum Phonation Time (MPT), perceptual evaluation by GRBAS scale and patient's self-rating by Italian version of the Voice Handicap Index (VHI).

Improving Hands-Free Speech Rehabilitation in Laryngectomized Patients with a Moldable Adhesive.

Objective: This study aims to assess the product performance of a new moldable peristomal adhesive with corresponding heating pad designed to facilitate and improve automatic speaking valve (ASV) fixation for hands-free speech in laryngectomized patients.

Methods: Twenty laryngectomized patients, all regular adhesive users with prior ASV experience, were included. Study-specific questionnaires were used for data collection at baseline and after two weeks of moldable adhesive use.

Gender-related differences in the prevalence of voice disorders and awareness of dysphonia.

Objective: Considering the impact of dysphonia on public health and the increasing attention to patient-centred care, we evaluated sex-related differences in the prevalence of benign voice disorders, awareness of dysphonia and voice therapy (VT) results.

Methods: One hundred and seventy-one patients, 129 females and 42 males, with functional or organic benign dysphonia underwent Voice Handicap Index (VHI), auditory-perceptual dysphonia severity scoring (GRBAS) and acoustic analysis (Jitter%, Shimmer%, NHR) before and after VT.

Results: Prevalence of each voice disorder was significantly higher among females.

Multidimensional voice assessment after Lee Silverman Voice Therapy (LSVT) in Parkinson's disease.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of Lee Silvermann Voice Treatment (LSVT) in improving prosody in patients with Parkinson's disease over medium-term follow-up.

Methods: 15 patients with Parkinson's disease were assessed before LSVT, within one week, and 3 and 6 months after treatment. Subjective and objective evaluation included: Voice Handicap Index - 10 (VHI-10), perceptual assessment by GRBAS scale and item 18 of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale III (UPDRS III), maximum phonation time (MPT /s/) and acoustic analysis by means the Voice Range Profile (VRP) and the "Intonation Stimulability Protocol" of the Motor Speech Profile (MSP).

Voice Telerehabilitation in Iatrogenic Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis: From Necessity to Opportunity in the COVID-19 Time.

Objective: To evaluate results of telerehabilitation (TR) during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic for the treatment of dysphonia caused by permanent post-thyroidectomy unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP).

Methods: Forty subjects with post-thyroidectomy UVFP (onset <1 month) underwent TR. Videostrobolaryngoscopy, acoustic and perceptual voice analysis and patient self-assessment were carried out in person before, at the end of TR and 6 months later.

Optimizing Pulmonary Outcomes After Total Laryngectomy: Crossover Study on New Heat and Moisture Exchangers.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of new devices-heat and moisture exchangers (HMEs) and adhesives-on pulmonary symptoms, subject adherence, quality of life, dermatologic symptoms, and patient satisfaction after laryngectomy.

Study Design: Prospective crossover study.

Setting: Between December 2020 and April 2021, 40 patients were enrolled who had undergone laryngectomy, routinely used HMEs and adhesive, and were followed in our Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

Speech perception in noise in children with dyslexia: Does speech sound disorder matter?

The aim of this observational cohort study with a control group is to compare consonant perception skills in quiet and in noise in children with typical language and learning development and in children with dyslexia, with and without Speech Sound Disorder (SSD). Three groups were included: A control group of twenty children with normal reading abilities and typical language development, twelve children with dyslexia and typical language development and thirteen children with dyslexia and SSD. All subjects received a consonant recognition test in three different listening conditions (quiet, + 10 and 0 Signal-to-Noise Ratio).

Long-term voice outcomes and quality of life after open partial horizontal laryngectomy type II vs. total laryngectomy: A cross-sectional study.

Objectives: We aim to analyse long-term voice outcomes and quality of life (QoL) in patients undergoing open partial horizontal laryngectomy type II (OPHL type II) and to compare them to those obtained by patients undergoing total laryngectomy (TL) with voice prosthesis (VP).

Design: Cross-sectional cohort study.

Setting: Patients undergoing surgery for advanced laryngeal cancer, assessed during the usual follow-up consultations at the Phoniatric Unit (February 2020-December 2020).

Oropharyngoesophageal Scintigraphy in a Case of Complex Swallowing Disorders After a Major Oral Surgery.

A 75-year-old woman had an occasional finding of a left tonsil mass for dysphagia, which resulted a high-grade squamous carcinoma. Therefore, the patient was sent to have a left pharyngectomy. After the pharyngectomy, the patient reported persistent swallowing disorders and nasal reflux.

Regenerative Strategy for Persistent Periprosthetic Leakage around Tracheoesophageal Puncture: Is It an Effective Long-Term Solution?

Autologous tissue-assisted regenerative procedures have been considered effective to close different types of fistula, including the leakage around tracheoesophageal puncture. The aim of this study was to retrospectively review 10 years of lipotransfer for persistent periprosthetic leakage in laryngectomized patients with voice prosthesis. Clinical records of patients who experienced periprosthetic leakage from December 2009 to December 2019 were reviewed.

Oropharyngeal Dysphagia After Hospitalization for COVID-19 Disease: Our Screening Results.

A high percentage of patients suffered symptoms also after recovery from the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection. It is not well clear what are the specific long-term sequelae (complications and symptoms). During the acute phase the patients may develop a multi-organ system pathology including aerodigestive tract.

Patients With Voice Prosthesis Rehabilitation During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Analyzing the Effectiveness of Remote Triage and Management.

Objective: To describe a remote approach used with patients with voice prosthesis after laryngectomy during the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting clinical outcomes in terms of voice prosthesis complications management, oncological monitoring, and psychophysical well-being.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Otolaryngology Clinic of the University Polyclinic A.

Olfactory perception rehabilitation after total laryngectomy (OPRAT): proposal of a new protocol based on training of sensory perception skills.

Purpose: We aim to propose a new protocol for olfaction rehabilitation after total laryngectomy based on training of sensory perception levels using the Nasal Airflow-Inducing Maneuver.

Methods: This is a randomized clinical trial including patients undergoing total laryngectomy between March 2010 and March 2019. Patients with nasal or oral abnormalities, prior olfaction impairment, a muco-ciliary transport time higher than 30 min, positive history for feeding, and neurological disorders were excluded.

Integrated rehabilitation after total laryngectomy: a pilot trial study.

Background: Acquisition and acceptance of the alaryngeal voice, psychological state, and Quality of Life (QoL) of laryngectomized patients.

Methods: Thirty-two patients who underwent total laryngectomy were included in the study; 17 of them were treated by a psychologist and a speech therapist (experimental group); 15 performed only speech therapy (control group).

Results: The experimental group showed a significant improvement in all parameters of the INFVo scale, in the score of the Environment subscale and in the total score of the I-SECEL (Self-Evaluation of Communication Experiences after Laryngeal Cancer); in the Depression, Obsession-Compulsion and Paranoia areas of the SCL-90-R (Symptom Check List-90-Revised); and in the Social area (REL) of the WHOQOL-B (World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-Brief).