Muscle Tension Dysphagia: Contributing Factors and Treatment Efficacy

Abstract

Objective: To determine factors contributing to disease etiology and treatment efficacy. Study Design: Original Report. Setting: Tertiary academic center. Methods: IRB approved prospective study of 20 patients with reported dysphagia who exhibited normal oropharyngeal and esophageal swallowing function as evidenced by videofluoroscopic swallow study, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, high-resolution esophageal manometry with stationary impedance, and Bravo pH probe off proton pump inhibitor. Patients underwent speech-language pathology intervention. Results: Atypical laryngeal muscle tension was present in 100% of patients. Forty percent of patients had diagnosed positive gastroesophageal reflux disease. Sixty-five percent of patients showed signs of non-specific laryngeal inflammation and laryngeal hyperresponsiveness during strobolaryngoscopy. All patients reported a mean of 90% recovery by the completion of voice therapy directed toward unloading muscle tension. Conclusion: The study results suggest an association between laryngeal muscle tension and these patients’ dysphagia symptoms regardless of associated conditions. Speech-language pathology intervention showed high treatment efficacy. Level of Evidence: 2c- Outcomes research.

Clinical and Electromyographic Assessment of Swallowing in Individuals with Functional Dysphonia Associated with Dysphagia Due to Muscle Tension or Atypical Swallowing

“…Literature data point out laryngopharyngeal reflux to be the most common dysfunction coexisting with dysphagia [ 20 , 21 ]. Research of Kaufman shows the appearance of LPR in nearly 80% of patients with muscle tension dysphonia [ 22 ].…”