Use of Motion Capture Technology to Study Extrinsic Laryngeal Muscle Tension and Hyperfunction

Abstract

ObjectivesPatients with primary muscle tension dysphonia (pMTD) commonly report paralaryngeal pain and discomfort, and extrinsic laryngeal muscle (ELM) tension and hyperfunction are commonly implicated. However, quantitative physiological metrics to study ELM movement patterns for the characterization of pMTD diagnosis and monitoring of treatment progress are lacking. The objectives of this study were to validate motion capture (MoCap) technology to study ELM kinematics, determine whether MoCap could distinguish ELM tension and hyperfunction between individuals with and without pMTD, and investigate relationships between common clinical voice metrics and ELM kinematics.MethodsThirty subjects (15 with pMTD and 15 controls) were recruited for the study. Sixteen markers were placed on different anatomical landmarks on the chin and anterior neck. Movements across these regions were tracked during four voice and speech tasks using two three‐dimensional cameras. Movement displacement and variability were determined based on 16 key‐points and 53 edges.ResultsIntraclass correlation coefficients demonstrated high intra‐ and inter‐rater reliability (p's < 0.001). Other than greater movement displacements around the thyrohyoid space during longer phrasing (reading passage, 30‐s diadochokinetics) and more movement variability in patients with pMTD, kinematic patterns between groups were similar across the 53 edges for the four voice and speech tasks. There were also no significant correlations between ELM kinematics and standard voice metrics.ConclusionResults demonstrate the feasibility and reliability of MoCap for the study of ELM kinematics.Level of Evidence3 Laryngoscope, 2023

Optical Flow Analysis of Paralaryngeal Muscle Movement

“…We recently discovered that static contraction (paralaryngeal muscle tension) using shear wave elastography ultrasound methods did not differ between individuals with and without pMTD, suggesting similar motor patterns in the paralaryngeal muscles between groups (at least during at rest conditions and during steady state vowel productions) 9 . However, we did previously observe greater movement variability in the ventral neck (especially near the thyrohyoid space) using motion capture technology during speech tasks 32,33 . These findings suggest there may be group differences in movement patterns within the paralaryngeal muscles.…”

“…9 However, we did previously observe greater movement variability in the ventral neck (especially near the thyrohyoid space) using motion capture technology during speech tasks. 32,33 These findings suggest there may be group differences in movement patterns within the paralaryngeal muscles. As such, studying paralaryngeal movement velocity and variability could provide additional insights into potential neuromuscular mechanisms underlying vocal dysfunction in patients with pMTD.…”

Real-Time Tracking of Laryngeal Motion via the Surface Depth-Sensing Technique for Radiotherapy in Laryngeal Cancer Patients

“…One study conducted by Huynh et al revealed laryngeal motion can be tracked and gated by the cine MR in the MR-Linac [ 31 ]. Another study applied three-dimensional cameras to track 16 markers on the chin and anterior neck to evaluate the extrinsic laryngeal muscle tension and hyperfunction [ 32 ]. Zhang et al designed a wearable swallowing recognition system based on motion and dual photoplethysmography to sense laryngeal movement [ 33 ].…”

The Thyrohyoid Muscle: A Crucial Player in Deglutition and Vocalization

“…Encouragingly, motion capture technology has emerged as a promising tool for studying ELM kinematics. It allows for the differentiation of ELM tension and hyperfunction in individuals with pMTD while exploring potential relationships with clinical voice metrics (Hogue et al, 2023). During early expiration, it has been observed that the majority of thyrohyoid motoneurons exhibit either activity or shortened antidromic latencies (Umezaki et al, 1998b).…”