Acoustical Voice Measurements did Change after Treatment in Patients with Laryngo-Pharyngeal Reflux: A Prospective Randomized Study

In order to see if voice-related acoustical parameters can be used to predict diseases in patients with laryngo-pharyngeal reflux (LPR), a randomised prospective controlled study was conducted. The acoustical programme used was an advanced MDVP (multi-dimensional voice programme) by Laryngograph Ltd. that routinely adjusts to well-defined sustained tones measures as well as standard text reading and electroglottography. There were three treatment groups for LPR: lifestyle changes (avoid acid-provoking foods), combined with proton pump inhibitors, and a third group that also included alginate. As there was no acoustic difference between the groups, they were combined. A comparison of the first and second consultations after two weeks, as well as a three-month follow-up, revealed significant jitter reduction of MDVP measures, and the frequency and intensity variations in reading a standard text were also reduced. Electroglottography showed no change. The acoustical findings had nothing to do with arytenoid oedema. In the future, the acoustical measures should be refined with online measurements on high-speed films.