Feasibility of Paragraph Reading Time as Assessment of Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Paralysis

Abstract

Purpose: Paragraph reading time (PRT) is defined as the elapsed time required to read a paragraph in a natural vocalization. We assumed that PRT can be of benefit for vocal assessments and studied whether it is clinically available or not.Method: 1) Assessment of reproducibility of PRT: In 192 normal voice cases, PRTs were compared as measured one week after the first trial and measured one year later. This study was performed to confirm reproducibility of PRT in the same person. 2) Comparison between PRT and maximum phonation time (MPT) in recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis (RNP) patients: In 52 RNP patients who were cured naturally within three months, PRTs were compared to MPTs. In 15 RNP patients who were not cured naturally and underwent autologous transplantation of fascia into the vocal fold, PRTs measured before and after operation were compared to MPTs.Results: 1) There was a high degree of reproducibility of PRTs in normal voice cases, in both PRTs measured one week later and those measured one year later. 2) A series of PRTs in RNP patients showed similar results to that of MPTs.Conclusion: PRT can be beneficial for vocal assessments.